This article was originally published on 24/7Mirror
Photographs taken in the past, not only remind us of simpler times; but most often let us reminisce the repulsive moments in the human history. Whereas, some pictures only make us wonder what a certain person was thinking at a particular time. So, let us take you on a journey in history with amazing and rare photos that you probably haven't seen before!
1. Mug Shot of the World’s Richest Man!
This picture belongs to the most obscure person residing on the planet. Probably some person who didn’t realize that a license is required to get behind the wheel.
Most definitely be a college dropout to lack the basic understanding of the human world.
2. Elvis Presley in the army
This picture shows the King of Rock n’ Roll when he was in the army in 1958. His career in the army was short-lived as he was hooked on amphetamines that were presented to him by a sergeant.
Elvis Presley still managed to maintain his musical career and all his earnings during the 2-year military service went to charity.
3. Austrian boy smiles and hugs newly gifted shoes during World War II
We take so many things for granted nowadays, even shoes. Without even thinking about how some unfortunate people can’t even afford the simplest of items.
This picture shows a boy from Austria, smiling towards heaven as he hugs his newly received shoes in the Second World War.
4. Refusal to perform the Nazi Salute
Protesting against the Government is considered as a basic human right. But in history, this could lead to severe consequences. The picture shows a man not giving the Sieg Heil salute among various Nazi supporters.
Sieg Heil salutes were later used by the US to honor their flag was then abandoned when Nazis adopted it.
5. Leo, the famous MGM Studio’s Lion
Afraid of lions? Well then you’re lucky enough not to be the one recording the infamous lion used for the MGM Studio’s opening.
This lion was especially named Leo by the MGM studios in 1957, but was actually named Jackie. Even though the roar was recorded several times after 1916, this was the only lion named Leo.
6. Disneyland finally opened
In 1955 this picture was taken. The same year when Disneyland was first initiated in California and was able to draw thousands; and entertained both children and adults together.
Today we are blessed with 6 Disneyland’s across the world and they are way more successful than any other theme park.
7. Albert Einstein wearing fur on his feet
Dull and grim is not a combination you define Albert Einstein with. The genius has been spotted in many photos doing light-hearted fun.
Here, the famous discoverer is seen wearing trendy fuzzy slippers. Its fashion after all, looks it up!
8. Halloween costumes that make you want to run and hide
What does Halloween mean to you? It is an opportunity to score free candy, right? Well in the 1900s the tradition of wearing creepy masks was what made the holiday extremely special and unique.
Freaky children, as shown in the picture could be seen everywhere tricking and scaring people! Thank goodness, these masks are not used anymore.
9. Valuable RMS Titanic boarding pass
The picture shows a real RMS Titanic Boarding pass. Doesn’t ring a bell? How about Jack and Rose; the lovers from the famous movie, Titanic?
The real story of Titanic was far more tragic and anything found up to this date is still worth a fortune considering how the most boastful ship met its fate.
10. Boxing as a sport in 1920’s
This picture of a ring set was snapped in 1923 in the middle of the Yankee Stadium which depicts two people beating each other to the brink of death!
Boxing is not a newly found activity that many people enjoy. It is a sport that entertained many, people even before the boxing legends Muhammad Ali and Smokin’ Joe Frazier took over!
11. Judo Black belt of Bin Laden
Bin Laden, the notorious terrorist, was snapped in 1980 when he was a student of judo.
The training lasted a week where he studied the art of throwing, punching and kicking with Saudi National Army.
12. Misogynist Boston marathon organizers try to stop Kathrine Switzer
Enjoy running? Then be glad that you weren’t a woman born in 1967. Kathrine Switzer wanted to put herself through the physical hell of running a marathon when women weren’t even allowed to do so.
She was the first woman to compete as well as complete the run despite the several obstacles in her path as depicted by the picture.
13. Hearing aid - A blessing
Technology is a complex thing. Where it has ruined several things, it has also paved new opportunities for people as well.
The picture snapped is of a young boy named Harold Whittles, who was born deaf and is hearing vibrant sounds for the first time, all thanks to his hearing aid.
14. Incomplete gray structure of The Golden Gate Bridge
Funny way to build a bridge huh? The picture snapped depicts how building this iconic bridge must have been a pain.
However, after completion; the Golden Gate Bridge has been among one of the most popular monuments all over the world.
15. Enormous workforce required for shipping Statue of Liberty
How tall is Statue of Liberty exactly? It’s a whopping 305.1 feet (6’3,588). It was a gift from France to America to celebrate the alliance between both countries during the American Revolution.
Now, it just represents the prevailing freedom and democracy in the United States.
16. Two legends in one frame
The picture shows the two great martial arts legends in one frame. Even though the only loss Chuck Norris faced was at the hands of Bruce Lee in ‘The Way of Dragon’, both still enjoyed great companionship.
After this however, Chuck went on an unbreakable winning streak, destroying everyone in his path.
17. First Computer ever by England
How technology has evolved still continues to amaze many of us. The first standard computer was as big as a room! How all our favorite applications, digital assets and technological aspects fit into a small device is beyond me.
This picture was captured in 1950 displaying England’s first-ever computer. One can get easily confused seeing only the amount of buttons on the machine!
18. Completing Mount Rushmore
This picture was taken while carving of Mount Rushmore was taking place. It took almost 15 years to complete but was never finished based on original plans.
Opposition from Native American groups and quality of the rock were used as ‘excuses’ to eventually call it quits.
19. Job hunting in the era of Great Depression
Numerous people found themselves out of jobs when the Great Depression began.
Even trained people were not spared and were found to look for jobs in the manner depicted by the photo.
20. Muhammad Ali providing counselling to a potential suicide victim
Muhammad Ali is a boxing legend. But he was so much more than his profession. Captured here is a picture of Muhammad Ali trying to talk a man out of jumping from a building.
The guy was named Joe and was facing a mental breakdown and thought he was in Vietnam. Ali came to know of the unfolding of the scene through his best friend and ran all the way up to talk to Joe.
21. Famous player Kobe Bryant holding up a Lakers Jersey
The future 5-time NBA star and 2-time Finals MVP Kobe Bryant is seen holding his number 8 Jersey after being picked 13th in the 1996 Draft.
Kobe left the league in 2016 and only played for LA Lakers. The jersey numbers 8 and 24 were discharged by Lakers after Kobe left.
22. Högertrafikomläggningen
Funny what countries do to adapt better. The name is too hard to pronounce so let’s just call it H-day.
This was the day when the Swedish government decided to switch from driving on the left lane to the right in order to ease the commuting from Sweden to its neighboring countries. Needless to say, the traffic was basically at a standstill on H-day and weeks after that.
23. First 21 employees of Google
This picture shows the original cast of Google’s development and promotions team. Google was established in 1998 and soon overthrew Yahoo as the most popular search engine.
Most of these people have left google and their whereabouts are unknown. The retention problem got to Google most probably.
24. A souvenir left for the aliens on the moon
Ever felt the urge to leave something on a famous or favorite monument? Well Charles Duke, part of a 3-man crew in Apollo 16 mission on the moon, took this urge to the next level.
He thoughtfully placed his family portrait in a plastic bag and left it on the moon. However, he may have forgotten that the picture might be ruined after days due to the harsh environment of the moon.
25. Buzz Aldrin’s successful attempt at space selfie
Only few have the talent of taking selfies and the result coming out this good!
Buzz Aldrin in 1966 is one of them. The picture shows how the astronaut took a selfie on the moon angled just so the Earth can be in the background. Look closely, do you see yourself?
26. Second Inaugural address by President Lincoln
When you are a politician, you are both loved and hated by your countrymen, same is the case with Abraham Lincoln; the 16th president of US.
Here, Abraham Lincoln is seen giving his second inaugural address just days before the end of war.
27. 10M storage computer selling only for $5995!
In 1980’s and 1990’s, technology was so rare that buying a desktop could cost you your entire savings plus your paycheck.
This ad shows how a 10MB computer was only for $5995! With this amount of money nowadays, one could build a high-end computer themselves and still have cash left.
28. King Tut’s attempt to protect his tomb of raiders
Tutankhamun, short for King Tut, ruled Ancient Egypt during the New Empire Period. Scientists decided it would be a nice idea to take a picture of the unbroken seal before raiding his assets inside.
King Tut died at age 18 or 19, but made sure that nobody got their hands on his beloved gifts from foreign dignitaries.
29. Various reactions displayed by people at Tiananmen Square
In 1989, China introduced communism and a lot of people weren’t exactly down for the concept. Hence they protested against the government.
Here is another angle, showing 4 different reactions to oncoming tanks.
30. Lunchtime for Disneyland employees
How dumb do companies actually think we are? This photograph of Disneyland’s employees getting lunch is obviously staged.
Its protocol for them to remove their costumes before eating, not only because it gets really hot and humid, but because a nasty smell also prevails in their costumes if they forget to do so.
31. Expressions of repulse shown by German soldiers having performed Nazi atrocities
This is the exact reaction of German soldiers who had fought on Adolf Hitler’s side when they were shown their gruesome acts moments after they had surrendered to the allies. Truly disgusting.
Never follow someone blindly enough to forget the difference between right and wrong.
32. Muhammad Ali punching The Beatles
1970 was a time when The Beatels and Muhammad Ali were at the top of the world. Even though mobile was being invented in that decade but we can't listen to the Beatles and watch Muhammad Ali highlights yet.
In this picture, we can see Ali squashing four Beatles with a single punch. This picture was taken in the 1970s, a time when both the Beatles and Muhammad Ali were famous around the world.
33. MLK Jr. getting rid of a burned cross
Racism is still a problem today but backdays in 1930s and 1940s it was so extreme that it was common for public to see. It was the latest trend whose part everyone wanted to become. “How racist were you today? Oh, so racist!” Things like that.
Racism was so extreme in the year of 1930s and 1940 that it was a public affair which everyone can see. This is a picture of Martin Luther King Jr., one of the best leaders of the civil rights movement, getting rid of the burned cross from his yard with his son at his side.
34. Uncompleted Empire State Building seen as an opportunity to play golf
In the 1930s and 1940s, there was no concept of laws regarding workplace safety. A man in golf attire seems to swing a golf club standing on the steel beams of Empire State building, all while a young caddy watches him.
A man in golf attire is swinging his golf club off one of the steel beams of the Empire State Building while a young caddy watches him. It depicts the era of the 1930s and 40's when there were no rules regarding workplace safety.
35. Unarmed Japanese man submitting to US soldiers
Here, an unarmed, unclothed Japanese civilian can be seen with guns pointed in his direction. We are not so sure what happened after the picture was taken to the man.
Japanese civilian can be seen with guns pointed in his direction. From his actions, we can judge that he is not putting up any fight and not defending himself in any way.
36. Fate of Airplanes during 9/11
This picture was taken when multiple flights were being on hold following the events of 9/11. No airplane was allowed to fly in the sky and head for the US after the towers crumbled.
No airplane was allowed to fly in the sky once the news of the World Trade Center tower collapsed was spread all across the US. Many airplanes were grounded and it was a confusing time for all the passengers which were in the grounded planes.
37. One-wheel auto mobile
This one wheel vehicle was less attractive than unicycles. One can only imagine the hurt of one tripping over this. Safety was surely not kept in mind while designing this one wheel ride.
Only a brave man, who can bear injuries can ride this one-wheel vehicle. This extraordinary vehicle doesn' t have any safety precautions and the person driving it is not wearing any helmet. By the look of it, it is a pretty cool and unique invention.
38. Aftermath of a ferocious snowball
Judging from the picture it may seem as they are being war-hardened veterans but it is not the case. They are freshmen students from Princeton after a nasty snowball fight against Sophomores.
Three freshmen students from Princeton fought a snowball fight with Sophomores. From their faces, we can judge that rocks were being planted in the snowballs before they were being launched at the rival with full velocity.
39. Obama in his teen years
Here we can see the future 44th president of the USA, Barrack Obama, when he was a young man with a growing afro. He was a pretty enthusiastic and chill leader of his time.
President of the USA in his teen years, we can see that he is a young fellow with a growing afro. He was a pretty chill leader of the Free World.
40. Last concert ever of Jimi Hendrix in Germany
Jimi Hendrix's, one of the best guitarist in the world can be seen in the picture performing his last concert. He was found dead after 12 days of the concert and was immediately rushed to the hospital where he was declared dead.
One of the best guitarist, Jimi Hendrix, looking bold in his last concert. This snap was taken on September 6, 1970, in Fehmarn, Germany. Jimi Hendrix died 12 days after this picture was taken. His death was ruled as an accident of overdose on barbiturates.
41. Wall of Berlin splitting families
The Berlin wall was used to divide the country's capital both physically and ideologically was demolished in November 1989. Anybody who even tried to cross it would be shot down.
In this picture, we can see a young family that is showing their children to their grandparents residing on the other side of the Berlin Wall. It was a ritual that whoever tried to cross the wall was being shot.
42. Exotic dancer displays her underwear to a judge in a courtroom
In this picture, we can see an exotic dancer that was taken into custody for Pinellas County’s anti-nudity laws. To prove to the judge that her underwear didn't show her private part she bent over and gave a first-hand sight of the evidence.
An exotic dancer which was brought into custody for Pinellas County’s anti-nudity laws. To prove her point she bent over and show the judge that her underwear was not that revealing. She was quickly removed from all the charges. That would have certainly made the judge's day.
43. The Soviet cosmonaut who fell from space
We can see the charred remains of Vladimir Komarov, a Soviet test pilot who command the Soyuz 1. There were many technical issues that were being faced in the flight.
Vladimir Komarov, a Soviet test pilot who command the Soyuz 1. The entire flight was confronted with multiple technical issues but the worst was when the manned spaceflight’s parachute failed to expand, making it come striking onto Earth and not ocean where it was supposed to go in the first place.
44. A Beautiful yet complicated suicide
Suicide is meant to be heartbreaking and heart-wrenching but with proper help, it can be avoided. This picture shows a bookkeeper who instantly became famous after jumping, namely as Even McHale.
An unknown bookkeeper, who instantly got famous after jumping from the 86th floor of Empire State Building. She had only lived 23 years of her life when she planned to end it.
45. Brave Scottish piper plays on a battlefield in World War I
Bagpipers are the only musical instrument that resembles like a weapon. In the picture, Scottish piper is playing on the battlefield during the war to instill fear into the hearts of their enemy.
Scottish piper player playing on a battlefield to inject fear in the heart of their enemy. It is very heroic of him to stand there in such a situation and play his people the song of the doom.
46. A military dog injured in Guam
The Second Battle of Guam had many canines join into the military just for the sake of attacking and assisting in delivering messages. There used to be some heroic dogs that used to go beyond the line of duty and pass in between gunfire to get the job done themselves.
In the second battle of Guam, many canines gave away their life to protect their nation by going in between gunfire and getting the bullet. To respect their tribute a statue of Doberman pinscher was erected to highlight the service of military dogs during the Second Battle.
47. Winston Churchill in his youth
Young Winston Churchill is looking vigorous in his military attire. Churchill took an active part in the First World War and gave three decades of his life to the military.
We know Winston Churchill as the strong man who likes to smoke his cigar, is a large bellied with a dominating personality. Here, we can see him in totally different attire wearing the military uniform.
48. The painting of Eiffel Tower
There was no concept of safety laws in the early 20th century. This picture is a clear depiction of that law not being used as four painters are giving a coat of paint to the Eiffel Tower in 1932 without any precautions.
As in the early 20th century, there were no safety laws which were being implemented. We can get an idea as one of the painters is smoking cigarette while doing his job. We can easily conclude that they are being paid less as they are not wearing pants large enough to secrete their rocks.
49. First batch of bananas to ever enter Norway
People of Norway are just being introduced to the oddly shaped fruit 'banana' in 1905. First, bach to ever enter the Land of Midnight Sun weighed over 3,000 kg.
The time when bananas were being introduced in Norway, back then foreign consumed products were uncommon to eat.
50. Tel Aviv’s future site
A picture of 100 individuals, who were chosen to divide a plot of 12 acres in the desert.
All the people were given the right over a property by the UK government which they didn't have in the first place.
51. Last public execution ever by guillotine in France
Eugen Weidman was the last person to get beheaded in front of the public. Even though; it was painful for the one who was experiencing it but the general public enjoyed the event.
In 1939 public beheadings were banned. Eugen Weidman was a serial kidnapper, so he deserved the treatment which he was receiving.