Monumental men, women, and children have created an infinite amount of remarkable moments. Unfortunately, memories of these people and what they did are confined. Tales of their extraordinary personalities and feats are often limited to the bigger moments, while other astounding things are often overlooked.
The only way to fully give justice to these hidden gems is by looking at the photos that preserved those special moments in time forever.
Famous Hollywood Icons
Actor Marlon Brando and actress Vivien Leigh are seen here taking a break on the set of the timeless 1951 film A Streetcar Named Desire. At the time Leigh was already a big movie star in Hollywood, while Marlon Bando was just a rookie, considering he only starred in two films beforehand.
A Streetcar Named Desire is most rememberable for the “Stella!” scene. This movie further propelled Leigh’s career by earning her an Academy Award and put Brando on the map to play major roles such as Don Vito Corleone in The Godfather.
Presidential Prankster
President Lyndon B. Johnson loved to prank people with his car. Johnson loved technology so much went that he went out and bought himself a lagoon-blue German-made Amphicar. Special assistant for domestic affairs, Joseph A. Califano Jr., recalled a time President Johnson pulled a prank on him.
“We reached a steep incline at the edge of the lake and the car started rolling rapidly toward the water,” Califano said.
“The President shouted, ‘The brakes don’t work! The brakes won’t hold! We’re going in! We’re going under!’ The car splashed into the water. I started to get out. Just then the car leveled and I realized we were in an Amphicar. The President laughed.”
The Fierce French Bombshell
This actress took the world by storm for her sultry on-screen persona. Before Brigitte Bardot became the most famous blonde bombshell on the silver screen, she only appeared in just a few French and Italian Films.
This photo of the beautiful French actress was taken in 1953 at the first ever Cannes Film Festival that she attended. At the time she was only 18 years old who was already posed to make it big in the movie industry.
Back at The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
After a three-decade run, Johnny Carson retired in 1992. The Tonight Show was fantastic in so many ways and was only truly appreciated after Carson left. For all the celebrities that Carson hosted, there is something special about the time he spent with Robyn Hilton in 1974.
Hilton is an American actress and model that played a memorable supporting role in the satirical Western film Blazing Saddles. What makes this guest stand out from the rest is that when she guest starred on the show it was when the famous catchphrase of “blonde bombshell” is rumored to have begun.
The Queen and Her Majestic Grace in the Military
The 93-year-old Queen Elizabeth II was 25 years old when she assumed the throne. The Queen is often seen as the courtly type during social events. Many people don’t know that she served in the Women’s Auxiliary Territorial Service back in the Second World War.
Nicknamed “Subalterm Elizabeth”, the young queen to be was a mechanic and drove military trucks. For those that know this fun tidbit, it isn’t surprising to see this phenomenal 1993 photo depicting the Queen firing a British machine gun called the L85.
Happy Campaign
Political campaigns can be very stressful and demanding for the candidates and their wives. Who would think Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Al Gore, and Tipper Gore would be having so much fun with only 8 days left before election day?
This photo was taken on October 26, 1992, during a break from the taxing campaign trip in North Carolina. It seems like having a little fun on the campaign trail can help out a lot as Bill Clinton was elected to be the 42nd President of the United States with First Lady Hillary by his side.
The Falling Color
A ceremony was held in June 1970 in honor of Queen Elizabeth’s April’s birthday. This ceremony is called a “Trooping the Color ceremony”, where the queen rides on horseback surrounded by her guards of honor. This picture became very famous as one of the soldiers passed out from the heat.
It actually isn’t a rare occurrence for guards of honor to pass out during these birthday ceremonies. In 2017 five soldiers passed out from the 80-degree heat. It really isn’t too surprising considering these soldiers wore those heavy uniforms and furry hats.
Crossing the Abbey Road with The Beatles
The legendary Beatles were prepping at EMI studios for their most iconic photo shoot of them crossing the zebra crossing on Abbey Road for their last album aptly titled “Abbey Road”. On Friday, August 9th, 1969, Iain Macmillan photographed these legendary musicians, but right before he did Linda McCartney took some photos of the group prepping for the photo shoot outside of the studio.
Symbolizing an end of an era, the policeman held up traffic to allow the band to walk away from the studio to cross the street. Macmillan took six shots of them crossing the Abbey Road, and ultimately chose the fifth shot for the album’s cover as it perfectly captured the superstars walking in sync.
A Little Escape from the War
Morale was low for the troops in 1967 as the Vietnam war waged on and many good men’s lives had already been taken. To boost morale many film and music stars were sent over to perform for the soldiers. In this photo, Raquel Welch is seen dancing on stage with a few GIs during a USO tour in South Vietnam.
World renowned comedian Bob Hope led this particular USO Entertainment performance. Hopefully, the weary 9th Infantry Division had a brief respite from the war and shared a few good laughs together.
How About Being on Top of a Moving Submarine?
This rare shot captures a man on top of what appears to be a submarine named after a small fish called the queenfish that is most commonly found in the Pacific coast of North America. The USS Queenfish Balao-class submarine was one of the fastest and quietest submarines to be commissioned during the Cold War.
Unlike most submarines, this one had very big passageways to allow the crew to quickly get from one end to another. The date and exact details of this picture are unclear, but it does look like this tailor took the “easy access” part too literally.
Young Men Painfully Faced Hell in War
War is hell no matter what way you look at it, especially when the war is a futile effort. Despite instinctive patriotism, many young soldiers strongly protested during the Vietnam War and did not want to fight in the gruesome guerilla warfare.
Many young men placed slogans like this one pictured above on their helmets as an act of defiance.
This iconic ‘’War is Hell’ 1965 photograph was taken by Horst Faas captured while the 173rd Airborne Brigade Battalion was on defense duty at the Phouc Vinh airstrip in South Vietnam.
The Power Couple
Actors Charles Bronson and second wife Jill Ireland made up the couple everyone was envious of in the 70s. With Bronson’s vigilante and gunslinging persona together with Ireland’s powerful co-star performances, the two were quite a team. It is no wonder why this 1971 photo taken on the streets of Santa Monica, California is so eye-catching.
Bronson and Ireland starred in 15 movies together. Ireland once joked about it by saying, “I’m in so many Charles Bronson films because no other actress will work with him.”
The North American Valkyrie
In the late 50s the US Air Force was working on a supersonic nuclear-armed strategic bomber prototype. The rare image captured this six engine North American XB-70 Valkyrie bomber that was able to reach extraordinary heights and could obtain incredible Mach 3+ speeds.
The XB-70 prototype was eventually scrapped in 1961, and replaced by two new prototype aircraft that were given the XB-70A designation. Those prototypes didn’t fare too well as the first one crashed after hitting another aircraft mid-flight, and the other one was relegated to remain at the National Museum of the United States Air Force.
Adolf Hitler Enjoys a Tea with a Lady
In this rare photograph from 1937 Gertrud Deetz, the wife of the Nazi politician Albert Forster, is seen laughing and having a good time with the notorious Nazi Dictator Adolph Hitler. Hitler at the time was in a clandestine relationship with a woman named Eva Braun. It was only after they committed suicide together at the end of World War Two did this secret relationship become public knowledge.
The two were married on April 30th, 1945 and were only wed for a mere 40 hours before Hitler shot himself in the head with a pistol after biting into a vial of cyanide with Eva Braun. The suicide was carefully planned beforehand, and instructions were also given as to how to dispose of their bodies.
“Burst of Joy”
The Vietnam War was a gruesome war that took the lives of many American Soldiers. Lt. Col. Robert L. Stirm was captured by the North Vietnamese and was held prisoner for five years after his plane was shot down while flying over Hanoi.
The sheer joy on these kids faces when their father came back from the war couldn’t be captured any better than in this March 1973 photograph. This famous photo is known as “Burst of Joy”, and landed won AP photographer Slava “Sal” Veder a Pulitzer Prize.
Perfect Fit
Rolling Stone magazine featured a piece in the late 70s that described the relatively new trend of single people working out at health clubs in Los Angeles. World renowned actress Jamie Lee Curtis appears in this picture wearing work out gear and a retro pink leotard.
The picture was taken for the movie Perfect starring John Travolta and Jamie Lee Curtis, directed by James Bridges. Bridges was inspired to make this movie after reading the Rolling Stone article. The succession of fitness clubs over bars for singles to meet is something Bridges felt was worth telling a tale about.
French Swimsuit Bombshell
This French actress only appeared in three films before her debut at the 1953 Cannes Film Festival: Le Trou Normand; Manina, la Fille Sans Voile; and Les Dents Longue. Bardot was very memorable in these films, and she continued to show off her talents as her career progressed.
Despite her tremendous talents it wasn’t until her debut at the Cannes Film Festival did she became one of the era’s “It-Girls”. As captured by this photograph it is obvious that her lighthearted beach bombshell attitude kept her in the spotlight throughout her career.
Rollin’ on the Rinks
Nothing defines the 1970s better than the flashy, glitzy roller discos and the boys and girls who filled them. Rollerskating was the thing to do during that decade so much that even kids hopped in the rink.
In this picture, a girl is showing a few kids how to stay cool both in and out of the rink. Nothing screams summer more than a day of rollerskating.
Jungle Jim or Jungle Pam
Drag racing’s hottest duo in the ’70s was “Jungle Jim” a.k.a. Jim Lieberman and his sassy sidekick “Jungle Pam”. Jungle Jim with his rubber-melting wheel stands is arguably the most legendary drag racer in history, and together with Pam, the duo was the spiciest in the sport.
18-year-old Jungle Pam with her shorts and go-go boots was hired by the drag racer as a marketing move. Not only did she drive the fans wild, but she also showed off how much she knew about cars and mechanics.
Taking an Intriguing Pose on a Plane on WWII
VMTB-234 aircraft were used by the Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 234. In 1942, the squadron was based in Oahu, Hawaii which is seven miles west of Pearl Harbor. The squadron was renamed Marine Torpedo Bombing Squadron VMTB-234 after it relocated to an air station in California.
Who the woman seated on a VMTB-234 aircraft is and when this photo was taken remains a mystery. Very few pictures have been found of this warplane, and this one will go down as a remarkable snapshot of WWII history.
The Terra Nova Expedition
Antarctica was explored by the British between 1911 and 1913. The excursion was called the Terra Nova Expedition that was tasked with several geographical and scientific objectives.
This astounding photo was taken in a grotto that formed inside an iceberg. These explorers look like ants compared to the encasing of ice in the grotto. This photo that was taken on January 5th, 1911 gives us an amazing viewpoint of a rare unadulterated form of nature.
Driving Across the City with Marilyn Monroe
Photographer and film producer Sam Shaw had a close friendship with the iconic Marilyn Monroe. This comradery allowed Shaw to capture genuine, laid back, and playful images of the star. On January 2014 Newsweek published previously lost photographs from Monroe’s scrapbook that also included a handwritten love letter from Monroe to Shaw.
Out of the many magnificent photos of Marilyn Monroe, none seem to compare to the black and white photographs shot by Shaw in New York. These 1956 photos were mostly taken on Central Park and Fifth Avenue. Arguably the best photo is this one, where Monroe and husband Arthur Miller cruised around the city in their new 1956 Ford Thunderbird convertible.
Did Not See That Coming
The construct of Nevada’s Transcontinental Railroad system built in 1868 had a disastrous effect on the Native American tribes that were living in the Great Plains. The railroad system not only destroyed the landscape but it eradicated the bisons that grazed there. The Native Americans were very dependent on the bison as it provided food, and even housing and clothing.
This Native American who is looking out at the completed railroad probably never expected this devastating outcome. His tribe might have signed over to the federal government their land as part of a peace treaty, but they never anticipated how destructive the project would be to their survival.
Give Me Some Duck Face
It seems like the renowned duck face dates back to the 1800 Victorian era. Surprisingly, women who lived in this era actually had fun. It certainly helped relieve the pressure between the rigid lifestyle, religious pursuits, and fighting for their economic and social rights.
Solemn portraits of men and women standing like statues with a grim smile on their faces defined the era. This is why this photo is so cool because this woman shows us that she could have fun in a society filled with exasperating rules.
Taking Selfie: The Victorian Era Way
‘Nothing is new under the sun’ is an age-old adage that even applies in a world where is accessible on a little phone in your pocket. The ‘selfie’ isn’t an exception as this hundred-year-old picture shows.
This Victorian era woman poses in front of the camera and snaps a picture of herself without a smartphone! Let’s face it, people love taking pictures of themselves, whether they live in the 21st or the 20th century.
Skiing Was for Elephants Too!
Yes, Elephants can water ski!
This Liz Dane and Queenie photograph catches one of the many water skiing performed by Liz Dane and Queenie. They would ski together, and many times Dane could be seen dancing and playing the harmonica. The duo performed all over the country; in circuses. State and county fairs, and even had many TV appearances. Dane stressed many times over that Queenie, in fact, loved water skiing and in no way was being mistreated.
The 6-month-old Queenie was a captive female Asian elephant before Bill Green and his daughter Liz Green Dane bought her in 1953 from Trefflich pet store in New York City. Noted for her incredible water skiing and entertainment abilities, the elephant was subsequently brought to a private zoo in Fairlee, Vermont.
One of a Kind Greeting from Hellen Keller
Hellen Keller, the pioneering blind and deaf author and political activist met with President Dwight Eisenhower on November 3rd, 1953. The then-73-year-old author gave the president the most unique greeting he ever had; instead of shaking his hand she studied his face with her hands.
After the meeting, Keller said she saw the president through her sense of touch, and that she “felt the courage in thought that carried him through such great years of the world’s history.”
There’s No Other Place Best for Picnics
Life may have been bad on November 4th, 1973, but these folks knew how to weather the storm. A few blankets and some instruments were all that they needed for their picnic on a deserted highway in the Netherlands during the Great Oil Crisis.
The Great Oil Crisis broke out in October 1973 when an embargo was placed by OPEC on any nation that helped Israel during the Yom Kippur War. The embargo affected everyone who was living in the Netherlands, United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, Portugal, Rhodesia, and South Africa.
Sundae in the 50s
These girls have just gotten their “10,000 Calorie Sundae” at Blair Parson’s store in Lynchburg, Virginia. This 35-cent hot fudge ice cream sundae was the talk of the town in the 1950s and the go-to place for this special treat.
Chances are that the “10,000 Calorie Sundae” was a marketing scheme because an average hot fudge ice cream contains roughly 280 calories. Whether it was a marketing scheme or not didn’t seem to matter even to those calorie conscious patrons. Who could blame them? It looks so good…
The Legendary MGM Roar
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s first talking movie was the 1928 flick White Shadows in the South Seas. It’s opening credits that have become synonymous with MGM, features Leo the Lion and his powerful roar. This is the shot taken at the first recording of his legendary roar.
The lion’s real name is actually Jackie, and to record his roar via gramophone the crew had to set up a sound stage around the lion’s cage. Needless to say, lions aren’t the friendliest of creatures, so Jackie’s trainer Mel Koontz was on hand to make sure everything went A-okay. MGM used this recording and this particular logo from 1928 to 1956.
A Tour at Disneyland’s Cafeteria
Disneyland is known as the “happiest place on earth”, and the staff’s cafeteria was no different. In this 1961 photograph, staying in character was completely normal, so it was a great place for Snow White and Goofy to meet up for a lunch date. We do hope that the astronaut took off his headgear to take a bite of his sandwich.
To keep Disneyland the “happiest place on earth”, the employees received an employee manual that included a code of ethics. Keeping an honest smile was rule-number-one in the handbook, and if this picture is any indication it seems like they did a great job at it.
American Grumman F-14 Tomcat Fighter VS. Russian MiG Fighter Jets
This fierce fighter jet known as the American Grumman F-14 Tomcat fighter was made by the U.S. Navy’s Naval Fighter Experimental program in order to repel Russian MiG fighter jets during the Vietnam War. This long-lasting warplane was decommissioned in 2006 and was replaced by the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.
This monumental photo capture the American Grumman F-14 Tomcat fighter jet last flight. On July 28, 2006, the fighter took off from the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier, thus marking an end of a historical era for the U.S. Navy.
Never Missed Out Soccer
This 1916 apocalyptic picture was taken somewhere in Northern France during World War I. Looks can be deceiving though, as these are really British soldiers looking to play a friendly game of soccer.
In World War I, thousands of chemical weapons were utilized by both sides. When the war came to a close in 1918, it is estimated that 50,000 tons of chemical weapons were used. It certainly makes sense why these soldiers decided to play the game safe by donning gas masks.
Louis Armstrong, His Wife, and His Trumpet
During the Cold War, the United States felt it was important to promote the American way of life. Many Jazz musicians such as the trumpeter Louis Armstrong took upon themselves this task, and so in 1961, he traveled to Egypt with his wife Lucille. Jazz music is believed to be distinctive in that it blends cultures together, something that would provide Egyptians a degree of comfortability with visiting foreigners.
The New York Times published this iconic photo of Armstrong treating his wife to a lovely tune in front of the Great Sphinx and pyramids of Giza. During his time in Egypt, the musician was bombarded with political question by reporters, but he refused to indulge them, saying “I got a trumpet, and I got a young wife, and I ain’t got time to fool with none of the stuff you guys talking about.”
The Prime Minister Was up for Hoops
Fidel Castro was known as a fierce competitor while playing sports in his high school years at El Colegio de Beléna in Havana. He devoted much of his time playing a variety of sports such as; basketball, baseball, table tennis, and track and field. These sports entailed agility, speed, and stamina; all traits that were helpful to him later in life during guerilla warfare.
Castro loved to play basketball, even though the national sport of Cuba is baseball. In this June 8, 1972 picture Fidel Castro is seen playing his favorite game with university students of Wisła Kraków.
Sneaking Out
When the US Supreme Court is in session it is forbidden to take any photos. Yet somehow in 1937, someone was able to get this rare snapshot. In 1932 we know how photojournalist Erich Salomon snapped a picture in the Senate that also instituted the law, by placing a camera in his sling that held up a broken arm he faked. But how was this picture of the US Supreme Court sneakily taken?
A young woman had the bright idea of cutting a tiny hole in her handbag. No one suspected that she placed a camera inside, so she was able to take this illegal photo by snapping the shot with the camera lens that peeped through the tiny hole.
“The Great Flood of 1910”
The Seine River flooded the streets of Paris after heavy rainfall caused the river to rise eight meters above its usual level. Known as the Great Flood of 1910, the disaster lasted throughout the entire winter of 1909-1910.
In a city that bustled with pedestrians and commuters, the flood forced people to use boats for getting around town. Hundreds of people were either stranded or trapped in second story buildings and desperately needed help. Police, soldiers, and firefighters had to row through the submerged streets to reach these people.
All in One Picture
The city of Cologne, Germany was completely in ruins after World War II. The city was hit by 262 Allied air raids, the worst ones came in May 1942 when 1,000 bombs fell upon the city.
This exceptionally polarizing picture taken in 1946 shows an acrobatic high-wire artist performing a marvelous entertaining feat. The acrobat’s tightrope walk performance is in stark contrast to the solemn magnitude of the devastated city that lay beneath her.
Some Breakfast Before Armstrong Took Off
What better way is there to start off your day than a hearty breakfast? Astronaut Neil Armstrong certainly thought so the morning he was scheduled to launch into outer space on July 16, 1969. An image that went viral on Reddit, at left, depicts Armstrong eating fried chicken and canned peaches for breakfast. Although amusing, this isn’t what he actually ate.
NASA released a photo(right) shows the legendary astronaut eating breakfast with the rest of his fellow Apollo 11 astronauts; Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins, as well as Donald Slayton, the director of flight crew operations, and the lunar module pilot William Anders. That morning they ditched the fried chicken and canned peaches in favor of scrambled eggs, steak, toast, coffee, and orange juice.
The Cold Revolution in France
These Frenchmen sure look bewildered watching the black bubbly liquid being poured before them. Little did they know that this soft drink would cause a revolution, known in France as the La révolution du froid” (The cold revolution).
Coca-Cola was informally available in France since 1919 and was officially introduced in 1933, but it wasn’t until 1950 that Coca-Cola decided to launch a massive marketing campaign. The slogan “Drink Fresh” was plastered all over vans and billboards, and ever since then, France was never left thirsty again.
Piercing Blue Eyes of the Dark Archduke of Austria
The assignation of this fierce blue-eyed man directly led to the outbreak of World War I. The Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg were assassinated in Sarajevo, Bosnia by Gavrilo Princip, a member of a group called “Young Bosnia” on June 28, 1914.
This photo of the Archduke is misleading as it represents a noble inspiring man. Nothing could be farther than the truth as he is described in history books as a dark, uninspiring, violent, and reckless man. Ferdinand’s assassination prompted Austria-Hungary to declare war against Serbia, which set off the chain of events that led to the first devastating worldwide war.
The Ten Commandments
The 1956 Ten Commandments movie is the crown jewel of Director Cecil B. DeMille’s career. The Bible’s story of Moses and the Exodus from Egypt was Demile’s most expensive, last, and successful film. The movie is rebroadcast every year around Easter and Passover since 1956.
Nefertiti, queen of Rameses II, was played by the beautiful and talented Anne Baxter. She stood out in the movie not only for her stellar performance, but also for the elegantly designed costumes she wore. It doesn’t matter that the costumes weren’t necessarily historically accurate, because they definitely left their mark on moviegoers worldwide.
A Real Japanese Samurai
British-Italian photographer Felice Beato moved to Yokohama, Japan in 186. He opened a commercial photography studio called “Beato & Wirgman, Artists and Photographers’’ with fellow photographer Charles Wirgman. Beato’s work focused on the Edo period of Japan, which produced rare photographs of Japan’s people, landscapes and cityscapes. Special attention was paid by the photographer to the sites and scenery of Tōkaidō Road.
It is clear from looking at his vast array of photographs that Beato had a passion for photographing Samurai military mobility in portrait-style images. This stunning photo of a Japanese Samurai was taken in 1870.
Maiman in the Mojave Desert
Famed American photographer Timothy H. O’Sullivan took everlasting photographs of the locals that lived in the Western United States during the late 1800s. He also snapped this style of picture taking during the Civil War to give us a realistic idea of what life was really like in those days.
A Native American guide and interpreter from the Mojave Desert often took O’Sullivan to the best spots for taking a perfect photograph. O’Sullivan took this natural and mesmerizing photo of Maimon in the 1870s.
The Most Unique Supermarket Ever
When most people think of a supermarket, they picture a large store with energetic customers crisscrossing the stocked isles to load up on food and drink. This gloomy picture was taken at a North Korean supermarket in 2012.
In North Korea, it is against the law to take a photograph without consent from a government guide. Michal Huniewicz took the risk anyhow and snapped a picture of a North Korean woman shopping at the supermarket in Pyongyang. Unlike the supermarkets we are used to, this one is designated for locals only and is bereft of any food other than a few apples, turnips and leeks.
What Air-Conditioning Felt Like in the Past
Looking at this photo from a hot summer day in 1912, you would be really thankful that we’ve got to comfortably lie in our houses without feeling the heat because of the modern day air-conditioner.
These boys were captured in the streets of New York City while they keep themselves cool through licking the large blocks of ice from the local grocery store. Adults watching them from behind must have been envious of these boys as they wore nothing but their hot coats and top hats!
The Titanic Gym
Often called a floating hotel, the RMS Titanic was the most luxurious ship of its time. First class passengers were given the benefit to work out in the gym that had a new rowing machine, electric horse and other state-of-the-art equipment.
Survivor Colonel Archibald Gracie made use of the Titanic’s exclusive gym almost every day, and often reflected upon it during interviews. Sadly, the White Star Line’s regal Titanic ocean liner sank to the bottom of the ocean on April 14, 1912.
The Real Cowboys of 1883
These aren’t your run of the mill cowboys hanging out together outside of a bar in North Platte, Nebraska. These men were part of a company called Buffalo Bill’s Wild West troupe that crisscrossed the United States to perform floorshows about the Wild West. John Burke, the general manager of the troupe used very creative billboards, products, publicity stunts, and celebrity to advertise their cabarets.
In this 1883 photo, the founder of the troupe William Frederick “Buffalo Bill” Cody is seen standing next to general manager John Burke, a Sioux Native American, and few other cowboys.
Not So Good Landing
On August 23, 2001 a malfunction on a Saudi Arabian Airlines Boeing 747 caused the airplane to break its nose. The accident happened at Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia while the aircraft was being taxied to the terminal.
Instead of pulling up to the terminal to pick up 319 passengers, the aircraft destined to go to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia rolled down into a ditch headfirst. Upon investigation, it turned out that the accident was caused by a maintenance error that impaired the aircraft’s steering and brakes.
The Stonehearted Dictator and His Beautiful Horse
North Korea’s Dictator Kim Jong Un really feels that appearances very important as evidenced by this photo that was taken in 2012. The Dictator had this picture taken while he was inspecting the readiness of his army’s troops in a secret location.
It is tremendously difficult to get a glimpse of what is really going on in Pyongyang, North Korea. This shot is truly amusing because it shows us what Kim Jong Un thinks about himself, and how he wants the world to view him.
Lady Liberty in Pieces
Not many people know that the symbol-of-American-democracy was actually a gift from France. In this extraordinary picture, you can see laborers in France’s Gaget, Gauthier & Co. workshop working hard on the head and torch-bearing arm of the Statue of Liberty. Once completed the statue was disassembled and brought by ship to New York.
The joint project was in the works for many years before it actually arrived in New York. Many men on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean worked hard to get Lady Liberty ready by 1876 to celebrate America’s centennial. Unfortunately, the process got slowed down due to lack of funding thereby causing the Statue of Liberty to be delivered on October 28th, 1886.
Power Struggle in The Background
This stunning photo of a beautiful woman playing paddle ball at the beach in Tel Aviv actually is quite deceptive. The hulk of a ship in the background tells a different tale of an intense power struggle after Israel declared independence in 1948.
The wrecked ship in the picture, called the Altalena, was devastated and left 16 people dead as a result of a political tug of war between Israeli political groups, all of whom were seeking to lead the country. Allegedly the ship was fired upon by the Israel Defense Forces because the ships remaining crew were about to stage a military coup. The floating remains of the Altalena became a popular tourist attraction for a year until it eventually succumbed to the waters and sank.
An Angel at Heart
This fierce looking World Heavyweight wrestling champion was actually an angel at heart. Known as “The French Angel”, Maurice Tillet had a medical condition known as acromegaly, which caused his head, hands, and feet to swell at the age of 20.
When Tillet turned 34, a friend of his who was a former wrestler persuaded him to join the sport. The French Angel found success in the 1940s, and was considered by many as the greatest wrestler of his time.
Naptime on Stage
On tour in Amsterdam, The Doors’ lead singer Jim Morrison stepped onto the stage all woozy and ended up passing out right in front of the crowd. He was immediately taken to the hospital and released the next day.
It seems like that when Morrison was touring the city in the morning, he went on an herbal substance binge. Needless to say, he was quite doped up when he came to perform on stage. Despite his absence, the band played on without him, and although the fans were disappointed, they still loved the 1968 concert.
An Actresses Best Friend
Audrey Hepburn always had one of her favorite two sidekicks by her side; Mr. Famous, the Yorkshire Terrier, or her pet baby-deer named Pippin. Hepburn was introduced to the baby deer in 1959 by its trainer during the filming of Green Mansions.
The trainer suggested that Hepburn adopt the deer so she could learn how to follow her for the film. Hepburn named her Pippin–Pip for short–and took her everywhere in Beverly Hills, including the supermarket. She loved the baby deer so much that she even had a custom bathtub built for her.
What Lies Upon the Stars
What child hasn’t looked up to the sky in wonder and wishing to know what it would be like to actually be in space? These two boys certainly have! Decked out in their space gear, these boys are learning all about space and the solar system at a planetarium in Fort Worth, TX in 1959.
The curiosity of what lies upon the stars really swept up kids’ imaginations in the 1950s and 1960s. It actually was such a fad that kids growing up in this decade were known as “space age kids’’.
Leatherheads
This invention is so simple yet so groundbreaking should have been tested on dummies first. Yet inventors felt that for the helmet whose sole purpose is to protect the head is better suited to be tested in a way that can break the aforementioned head. This jumping man was used to try out a prototype of the helmet in this 1912 photograph.
Helmets were originally made of leather and evolved over time. Before helmets became a standard, athletes would seldom use any protective gear while playing sports.
When No Masseuse Is Available
Sore back with no masseuse available? No Problem! We are here to introduce you to the 1928 “Hip Massage Machine”. This beautiful lady photographed sure seems to be enjoying it.
The idea is great, but this model was way too bulky to ever last. Over the past 90 years, we have been able to design little massage gadgets that fit on the back of a chair. Kudos to the “Hip Massage Machine” for getting the ball rolling.
The Saddest Inauguration
Presidential inaugurations are a happy and hopeful time that is usually held in front of Capitol Hill with the eyes of the entire nation watching in anticipation as the new commander-in-chief takes the oath of office. Sometimes the nation’s new leader is sworn in without any fanfare and in a time of mourning.
November 21st, 1963 will always be remembered as the day after President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. On that solemn day, the passing of the presidential torch to Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson was carried out a mere two hours and eight minutes after Kennedy was shot.
Wives Wanted
When a chap was down on his luck or was seeking a new adventure, the Wild West was the place to be. In the 19th century the Wild West was the perfect place to find an opportunity as it was relatively undeveloped and lawless. This adventure really suited the guys, but not so much the gals.
Men being men needed to let the women in the world know that they are single and available. Perhaps the idea of “mail-order brides” was inspired by these guys who posted a “wives wanted” sign on their log cabin.
Prepared for An Emergency
This creepy gas mask stroller is an invention that the UK actually used during World War II. The threat of chemical warfare was always a possibility during the war, so everyone–including babies–had to take preventive measures. This stroller was designed to keep the baby as safe as possible in the event of a chemical attack.
During the war, the British Government gave out gas masks to the public and made it obligatory to have them on hand at all times. In addition, the government staged mandatory drills with tear gas to be better prepared in case of an emergency.
Radio Days
Just like digital cameras being replaced by smartphones, the newspaper industry was being threatened by the new technology of the day: radios. Other than the radio itself, it didn’t cost anything to tune into a great song or get news updates. Feeling the heat, the “radio facsimile device” was invented.
This is a photo of a 1938 RCA radio facsimile device which is better known as a fax machine. It didn’t do well to counter the threat of radios, as a machine costed between $125 and $260; which was a hefty price for the majority of people living in the Great Depression. The expensive price and the fact that it could only print three pages per hour caused many people to opt for a radio instead.
Teachers Can Chill Too
School can be tough, even for teachers. It isn’t easy to deal with a bunch of kids who get out of hand and don’t listen. What better way to take a break and relax than kicking back a cold one? These teachers in 1910 seem to be doing just that, and with some flair!
Who said you can’t have a drink while looking well dressed and proper? These teachers sure knew how to chill while looking great.
The Godfather of Science Fiction
This guy looks like he lives in the future with his Virtual-Reality-looking headset. Surprisingly he wasn’t–this man was inventor, writer, and publisher Hugo Gernsback who is known as the “Father of Science Fiction.” He invented a pair of Television googles back in 1963.
Today the idea may have taken off, but unfortunately, it didn’t get off the ground back then. Still, Gernsback was always looking forward, and his TV goggles helped inspire the mobile technology we all have and love today.