Strange Photos That Show A Different Side Of History

The Earth has been around for billions of years, with humans making their impact on it all in the last 6 million years. The invention of the camera in 1816 means that we’ve been able to document our incredible journey ever since - and a lot has changed in 100 years.

From major breakthroughs to things we never even knew happened, the weirdest history photos the history books don’t show you sure do put things into a new perspective. The question is: where have they been this entire time?

Dining with alligators was part of the fun at the start of the 20th century

Ever wondered what it’s like to have lunch while fearing for your life? It’s probably not something that’s crossed many of our minds, but it was once something we could all enjoy. That was thanks to the California Alligator Farm in Los Angeles, which ran special picnics from 1907 to 1953. People just needed to be brave enough.

Once in, they could see what it was like to dine alongside a host of alligators as they were almost completely submerged in the water. While it was claimed the alligators were completely trained, it wasn’t enough to see the park’s attraction remain open forever. Thankfully, changing health and safety regulations mean we can no longer dine with ‘gators.

The Las Vegas strip wasn’t always the bustling place we know today

Millions of people have been drawn to the flashing lights of Las Vegas throughout the years. It’s been filled with some of the biggest names throughout the years, including Elton John, Britney Spears, Elvis Presley, and Frank Sinatra. Of course, that’s not the only thing that draws people to Sin City. Still, it wasn’t always a thing.

Things started in the 1930s and picked up in the ‘40s. However, there was still a lot of land for sale in the 1950s, including this plot up for sale in 1955. Life magazine was certainly right when they predicted Las Vegas would be “set for its biggest boom,” as things have only continued to grow across the city.

Brooklyn Supreme was the largest recorded horse the world has ever seen

Have you found yourself thinking about the largest ever recorded horse? It might not be a thought that’s crossed many of our minds, but it could be one that stays there thanks to this incredible lost photo. It might be little surprise that the equine was called Brooklyn Supreme, as the horse easily towers over the people in the snap.

That’s because Brooklyn stood a whopping 6-foot-6-inches tall and weighed 3,200 pounds. The photo was taken some times in the 1930s and is just a glimpse into the giant horse. Amazingly, each of his shoes needed 30 inches of iron, and he was once shown across the US, where people paid 10 cents to see him.

Creating Dalí Atomicus is only revealed by looking behind the scenes

Salvador Dalí will forever be known as one of the most influential artists of all time. He was a surrealist artist who used his technical skills and bizarre images to create some of the most recognizable pieces. It turns out Dalí was also sometimes the focus of his art. One of those moments came in 1948.

That’s the moment Dalí teamed up with photographer Philippe Halsman to create the Dalí Atomicus, a photo that was meant to bring the idea of suspension to life. Thrown objects, Dalí jumping, and suspension wires were all used to create the illusion. Apparently, it took 28 tries to get the final shot, with the behind-the-scenes snaps something incredible.

Keeping makeup protected often meant going to extreme measures

For years, women have been told they need to keep their hair and makeup perfect at all times. Of course, while things have changed in recent times, there were plenty of decades when many would go to extreme lengths to ensure they always looked camera ready. Apparently, some of those measures grabbed attention all on their own.

Women in Montreal during 1939 seemingly went to some strange lengths to protect their faces throughout the snowstorms. The answer? To use plastic face shields. While it might be designed to see the snow slip straight off, it might be a little challenging to get too close to anyone while wearing one of these additions. Maybe that was the point?

Nikola Tesla was seemingly unbothered by the dangers of electricity

Being an inventor meant that plenty would always look at Nikola Tesla and wonder what was going on. Still, without his work on electricity, we might not have access to the supply and methods that so many of us are used to seeing nowadays. The Tesla coil is still his most famous invention of them all.

What about the magnifying transmitter? Amazingly, it was Nikola’s advanced version of the coil and allowed energy to be transmitted wirelessly, with Nikola seemingly unbothered by what was going on above his head. Thankfully, historical photos like this allow us to see what it was like in Tesla’s laboratory found in Colorado Springs back in 1899.

Even dogs had gas masks during World War One

The start of the 20th century saw a lot of distress across the world. The World Wars dominated so many years of the century and saw people go to extreme lengths to keep safe. The First World War began in 1914 and raged on until 1918, with this photo being taken toward the end of the conflict in 1917.

It turns out the dog was from France and worked with the Red Cross, meaning they needed some protection to keep safe. That’s where the dog gas mask was born. While the world knows plenty about what went on during the war, not everyone knows about how far people went to protect their four-legged friends.

A temperature inversion created a terrifying atmosphere in Kazakhstan

It might not take much to convince people these are two photos that have been merged together. It turns out that’s far from the case, as this goes to show how much effect cities can have on the environment. The snap is more recent than others, being taken in 2014, but it marks a huge moment in history.

The city in question is Almaty in Kazakhstan, and flipped atmospheres thanks to a temperature inversion. It meant all the hot air in the city rose above the buildings, leaving the cold air trapped below. In the cold air was also the smog and pollution, meaning it was almost impossible to see through the city.

East Asia had a different way of punishing people who were caught speeding

What happens when you’re caught speeding? Nowadays, many people might get a record or fine to try and deter them from doing it again. It turns out Asia once had a very different way to put people off speeding, which included wearing this contraption. The device, called a cangue, was used for centuries throughout east Asia.

This Chinese driver was caught speeding and forced to wear the device for 24 hours. The giant wooden board was enough to put people off going over the speed limit, as well as tell others that they broke the law. Amazingly, the device was used until the 1900s, with this person posing for a photo during their punishment.

Gas strikes worried people across the world, including parents

Even though the world was yet to go into the Second World War, it seems people were more than prepared for the upset they saw brewing beneath the surface. At least, that was the case for one woman who was captured walking through the streets of England in 1938, a year before the official start of the war.

Having a young baby didn’t mean parents had to be stuck at home, thanks to a stroller that was being worked on at the time. The device was supposed to keep little ones safe from any gas attacks, but it’s unclear if it made its way out of the development stages. Either way, it’s become one of history’s lost photos.

Amphibious vehicles aren’t something most people see every day

There has been plenty of talk about amphibious vehicles throughout the years. While they’re things that have been made and developed time and time again, they’re yet to hit the mainstream market. That’s also why so many people have been surprised to see them in use, such as Lyndon B. Johnson and his Amphicar in 1965.

Apparently, he got a lot of joy from telling people that the brakes had failed and he had no way of avoiding the lake on his Texas ranch before driving straight into the water and seeing their faces when they realized it floated. The Amphicar was on sale throughout the 1960s but has since disappeared from the market.

Jonathan is thought to be the oldest living thing on planet Earth

The award for the oldest known living animal goes to none other than Jonathan, the tortoise. He lives on the island of Saint Helens and was first brought to the island in 1882 when he was 50 years old. In 2022, it’s estimated that Jonathan is somewhere between 189 and 190 years old, making him the oldest animal on Earth.

Although he is now blind and has lost his sense of smell, it’s said that Jonathan is thriving and relies on his shell mate to help him get around. To celebrate what was likely his 190th birthday, the island of Saint Helens released a host of commemorative stamps and offered visitors certificates with a copy of Jonathan’s first known footprint.

Mike became the first H-bomb ever detonated

The 1950s marked a major turning point in ammunition history. More specifically, 1952. The US was long leading the race for having the most powerful weapon of them all until the Soviet Union came along with their atomic bomb. It wasn’t long before the US knew it needed to step things up and got to work on the H-bomb.

This historical photo is from the first test of the H-bomb, detonated over the Marshall Islands on October 31, 1952. The following day, Mike - the official H-bomb - was detonated and caused destruction that had never been seen. The mushroom cloud shot 57,000 feet in 90 seconds and ultimately reached 60 miles across by the time it was done.

People in Georgia certainly liked their drink back in the 1800s

Ever wondered what it was like to live throughout the various time periods that have gripped history? You’re not alone. While we’ll still quite a way off from having time travel at our disposal, archeologists have been working hard for generations to learn all about the history of the world and those who lived before us.

It seems those living in Kakheti, Georgia certainly liked one thing: drinking. That’s right; this giant vase was more than just a decoration or used to store food. Instead, it was used to store adult beverages. This man helps to show the sheer scale of the jar as he posed for a photo with the jug back in 1881.

Princess May might be one of the most famous shipwrecks of all time

Alaska might be one of the United States, but plenty have no idea just how cold it can get. The twist? It turns out it can get pretty foggy, too. That was certainly the issue back in 1910 when a steamship named Princess May ran aground. It turns out the crew had no idea how close they were to land.

The rocks in question surrounded Sentinel Island and were enough to see the ship launch entirely out of the water. Amazingly, no one from the 150 people on board was hurt, and it wasn’t long before Princess May became one of the most photographed shipwrecks of all time. This snap was taken in 1910, shortly after the incident.

One doctor was left with no choice but to self-operate in Antarctica

What happens when you’re in Antarctica, and you’re the only physician on the trip? If you’re anything like Leonid Rogozov, you realize you need to think fast when you learn you have acute appendicitis. The doctor knew all the symptoms but was forced to stay in the campsite due to harsh snow storms that dominated the area.

Knowing that leaving was out of the question meant Rogozov had no choice but to operate on himself if he stood a chance of surviving. The doctor set about organizing a surgery room like no other as he removed his appendix before it burst and potentially ended his life. Amazingly, Rogozov survived - and was on duty two days later.

Bison almost went extinct after being hunted from 30 million to just 100 animals

For years, native tribes living across the US hunted bison for their meat and hides. The problem? The introduction of settlers saw competition for the animals. That, teamed with the expansion of farmland and buildings, meant it wasn’t long before bison were on the verge of extinction. By the late 1880s, fewer than 100 bison remained in the wild.

Settlers were only interested in their skin and tongues, with the rest of the animal being left to rot or shipped across the country where their bones were ground into fertilizer, dye, or glue. This photo was taken at some point in the 1870s and helps to show what happened to the 30 million bison that once roamed the US.

Joe Arridy was known as the “happiest prisoner” serving capital punishment

The story of Joe Arridy is one of the more tragic that’s ever come from inside prison walls. It all started when he was arrested and charged with assaulting and ending the life of a 15-year-old girl. The problem? He had an IQ of just 46 and was long known to be “the happiest prisoner” serving their capital punishment.

Joe lost his life in 1939 at 23 years old, but not before this photo. Joe was known for his love of trains, and he was snapped handing his toys to a fellow prisoner before being led to his end. It was later revealed police coerced a false confession, and Joe was pardoned 72 years after he lost his life.

Jack the baboon didn’t make a single mistake during his nine years on the tracks

Believe it or not, but it was an accident that saw Jack the baboon shine. James “Jumper” Wide was known for working on the trains and jumping between the carts. Sadly, he misjudged one of the jumps and was injured, with both of his legs severed below the knee. Ultimately, Jumper got to work at a train station instead.

Still, Jumper was having issues until he saw Jack working at a local market. He was impressed with the baboon’s skills and hired him as his assistant. Jack instantly learned how to switch train signals, push Jumper to work in a wagon, and hand the conductors their keys. Jack worked for nine years and never made a single mistake.

Princeton University was forced to get rid of the annual snowball fight

Plenty of schools have their own traditions. While Princeton has a reputation for being an Ivy League school, that doesn’t mean it’s short of a tradition or two. Thankfully, one of them has since moved on, thanks to the number of injuries it caused. You’d be forgiven for thinking these students had been fighting each other.

Instead, it turns out the group had been a part of the school’s annual snowball fight in 1893. Apparently, many of the students would pack their snowballs with things like rocks before launching them at one another. Perhaps it’s no wonder the snowball fight was officially off the menu by the turn of the century?

Lipombo is one of the lesser-known tribal traditions from history

Tribes have long had their own traditions that have remained a secret from the rest of the world. Lipombo is one on the list. It turns out it’s an ancient tradition that was once practiced by the Mangbetu tribe and involved using cloth that was tightly wrapped around a baby’s head, forcing their skull to elongate.

The result was meant to be a sign of beauty and was a common sight, such as this photo that was taken at some point between 1929 to 1937. Although it was used for generations, it started to grow less prevalent in the 1950s as western influence and the arrival of Europeans began to influence the culture more and more.

Roller skates have come a long way since their initial invention

It can be easy to think that some everyday items have been around forever. Still, there was once a time that rollerskates weren’t a thing. Did you know the first type of wheeled shoe was actually showcased on stage in London back in 1743? Sadly, they had no brakes and were hard to use, so the idea didn’t catch on.

It wasn’t until the 1840s that things started to change, as performers used skates to make it look as though they were ice skating across a frozen pond on stage. Things continued to take off until 1910 when this creation was unleashed. Now, people could roller skate on wheels with pedals to power them forward.

George Stern knew his volatile liquid didn’t have many practical uses

George Stern was an inventor, but it was his discovery of a highly volatile fluid that got so many people talking. After all, it led to one of the more terrifying images of the time, with this one being taken in November 1938. It turned out the liquid vaporized so quickly that the flames released by the gasses didn’t burn.

While it was an impressive discovery, George knew that his invention had little use. Instead, the inventor claimed its more practical use would likely be for Hollywood, where the fluid could be used to make strange effects in movies. George was particularly excited for it to be used in horror films to create unsettling visual effects.

Life before the snowmobile meant people needed to be creative

Snowmobiles are something that so many of us are used to seeing. From making it easier to travel across the snow to a fun activity to try on vacation, there are so many ways they have been used in modern times. What about before they were a thing? It turns out snowmobiles weren’t invented until 1922.

So what did they do before then? This soldier from World War One certainly had a unique idea as he rode a motorcycle fitted with skis. The snap was taken sometime during the First World War in Kehrsatz, Switzerland, where the snow often made it tough to travel. Thankfully, it wasn’t long until the snowmobile was born.

Baby cages are one of the more bizarre inventions from the 20th century

The book ‘The Care and Feeding of Children’ was released by Luther Emmet Holt in 1884 and spoke about the importance of “airing” babies. It might sound like an unusual concept to many nowadays, but the idea was enough to see mothers living across London go to extreme lengths in the 1930s to ensure their babies had fresh air.

Well, it was as fresh as it could be in the polluted city. It wasn’t long before baby cages hit the market and saw parents place their little ones into wire cages suspended, sometimes hundreds of feet above the ground, from their windows. Amazingly, no one was ever reportedly injured, with many claiming baby cages led to stronger children.

The Great Boston Molasses Flood destroyed the city in a matter of seconds

Sadly, people living in Boston were about to learn the saying “slower than molasses” might not be true. That moment came in January 1919 when a poorly-constructed tank of the stuff burst and sent a 25-foot high wave crashing through the streets of the city at 35 mph. Eventually, it injured 150 people and ended the lives of 21.

It’s believed it took just seconds for 2.3 million gallons of molasses to flood the streets as the tank at a Purity Distilling Company exploded and covered the city’s North End in a sticky nightmare. Carriages, vehicles, and even girders holding up the elevated train tracks were all washed away, crushing and drowning people in its wake.

Not many have seen the first moments archaeologists explored King Tut’s tomb

For years, people had wondered if they would ever find the tomb of King Tutankhamun. It was a thing of legends, but all history of where the legendary pharaoh was buried had seemingly been lost to history. That was until British archaeologist Howard Carter did what was seemingly impossible and found King Tut at long last.

This historical snap was taken in 1922 and marked the moment shortly after Carter opened Tut’s innermost portion of the tomb for the first time. It was a huge moment, and one that sparked the debate of a mummies curse, as many working on the project appeared to lose their lives in unusual ways following the discovery.

The story of the first animal in orbit is more tragic than many realize

Laika, dubbed Muttnick by the press, went down in history as the first animal to orbit the Earth. Tragically, her ride was always destined to be a one-way trip, the Space Race was in full bloom in the 1950s, and the Soviet Union wanted to do something special to honor an anniversary - and go down in the history books.

Laika was once a stray dog before she was chosen for the mission. The dog was trained to lie in a smaller and smaller crate each day, with people on the mission assuming Laika would eat the poisoned food or pass away due to no oxygen after seven days. Sadly, Laika passed away after 103 minutes due to extreme temperatures.

British soldiers had unusual weapons and armor during WWI

Things have come a long way throughout the years. The battlefield is no exception, with people constantly looking at how they can keep people safe and walk away victorious while claiming as few lives as possible. Amazingly, the British military had an unusual way of doing things throughout World War One with their steel-based armor.

The cap is made entirely of steel to keep someone’s head safe, while the goggles are actually splinter goggles, meaning someone can only see through the thin slits in the lenses. From there, the steel gauntlet features a matching dagger, meaning someone could protect their hands while fighting off the enemies. It was certainly a sight on the battlefield.

The Young Pioneers could be as young as ten years old

It’s perhaps no secret that people were enlisted to help all too early during the conflict that gripped the first half of the 20th century. World War II began in 1939, but the Young Pioneers were already gearing up for conflict in 1937 when this photo was taken, as they lined up in gas masks for a drill.

The Young Pioneers started in 1922 and isn’t meant to be an image of fear that so many believe nowadays. Instead, they were hoping to show the strength and unity that came from the group. Children as young as 10 to 15 years old made up the group, who learned all about what was considered to be the ideal ideology.

No one is entirely sure what happened to Olive Oatman while she was missing

Like many families in the 1800s, Olive Oatman and her family traveled across the US in search of a better life. Olive was just 13 years old in 1850 when her family was attacked and had their lives ended by the Western Yavapai tribe. However, Olive and her sister survived, were taken by the tribe, and enslaved.

The siblings were traded to the Mohave tribe, where the girls were cared for by the chief and his wife as their own. Although her sister passed, Olive thrived and was even given a face tattoo, so she was recognized by spirits when she passed. Eventually, Olive returned to Western life, where she settled down with a cattle rancher.

Foot binding was an incredibly painful practice used across China

For thousands of years, women across China used foot binding as a way to alter the appearance of their feet. They used special shoes - called lotus shoes - to keep their feet as small as possible, with some believing three inches was the ideal size for a foot. It’s assumed it was a status symbol reserved for the rich.

While it was supposed to showcase beauty, foot binding was incredibly painful and featured flesh being cut off and toes being broken and bound. It’s estimated 40% - 50% of Chinese women had bound feet by the 19th century, with most left unable to walk. By the 1930s, it was uncommon, and the final lotus shoe factory closed by ‘99.

The inventor of basketball was captured with some of the sport’s earliest equipment

Millions of people spend their days keeping up with all things basketball-related. Of course, being one of the most popular sports across the US certainly helps. Of course, basketball has also spread across the world, with many making huge names for themselves within the sport. Amazingly, it all started with this man: inventor James Naismith.

He was the one behind the game and was once captured holding some of the earliest equipment from the game. That’s right; the hoop was once very different, and the balls had a lot less bounce than the ones used in the NBA today. It’s unclear when this photo was taken, with many assuming it’s from sometime before 1939.

Life jackets weren’t always the things many picture today

Safety measures have come a long way throughout the years. While things used to be a lot more relaxed a few decades back, that didn’t mean everyone forgot about trying to keep safe. So what happened when you needed a life jacket but didn’t have one to hand? If you were this group, you would get a little creative.

This group of German youngsters seemingly didn’t want to take any chances in 1925 as they headed to the lake for a swim. That’s because they used the inner tubes from some old tires and tied them around their body to act as floats. We guess it must have worked, or they might not have been so happy.

Robert McGee never fully recovered from being scalped as a teenager

Robert McGee became one of the only people to survive being scalped - and was a thing of legends. Robert was a teenager when he traveled with his parents across the US in search of a better life. Sadly, his parents passed on the journey, and he became an orphan. Eventually, Robert found work as a teamster for a freight company.

During one trip, it’s alleged the Sioux tribe attacked the resting group, ending the lives of almost everyone. Robert was supposedly scalped by the tribe’s leader, Little Turtle. It wasn’t until the guards caught up, discovered the massacre, and found that Robert was alive that he was taken to get help, posing for a photo 25 years later in 1890.

Some planes look out of this world thanks to pressure changes

It’s not every day that we see something entirely out of this world. Still, it does happen, especially when US Navy planes are involved. At least, that was the case back in July 1999 when one aircraft was flying above South Korea, only for someone to notice it looked as though the plane had emerged from the clouds.

While it looks otherworldly, it’s actually down to the pressure and temperature of the air. Plus, a plane has to be the exact right shape to make the phenomenon known as flow-induced vaporization. It happens when the planes fly through humid air and cause a change in pressure and temperature, resulting in a disk-shaped cloud around the aircraft.

Using public restrooms was very different in 1800s Paris

Have you ever had one of those moments when you desperately need the bathroom, but there are no restrooms in sight? While many of us would do a lot to find a public restroom, not everyone has something quite so public in mind. Still, people in Paris - well, the men - were greeted by just that throughout the mid-1800s.

Thievery public restrooms, known as a pissoir, were installed across the city. At their peak, it’s believed there were over 1,000 found across Paris. This photo shows a boy standing near one of the bathrooms as the streets lie empty for a time, helping to keep the unusual parts of history alive all these years later.

The last Tasmanian tiger disappeared forever in 1936

Several creatures have come and gone throughout the generations as a changing world has forced things to adapt. Sadly, that wasn’t the case for the thylacine. The Tasmanian tigers, as they were commonly called, were once thriving marsupials who lived across New Guinea, Tasmania, and Australia for millions of years. That was until only one was left.

The lone Tasmanian tiger lived out the rest of their life in the National Zoo found in Washington, D.C., until 1936. Mass hunting is thought to be largely to blame for the species’ demise. Still, new de-extinction methods could mean that pups preserved from the breed could be enough to bring them back to life after almost a century.

The Fight of the Century drew in thousands of fans

It’s not every day that a boxing match goes down as the ‘Fight of the Century.’ Still, that was the case when heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey stepped into the ring with light-heavyweight champion Georges Carpentier back in July 1921. It was a fight that was on almost everyone’s lips as they wanted to see who would be victorious.

In the end, Dempsey was the winner in the fourth round after a KO. Still, plenty wanted to keep up to date with everything going on inside the ring. That led to a crowd of around 10,000 men gathered in Times Square in New York around the New York Times building - and led to this incredible photo.

Being a knocker-upper meant someone could never be late to work

Alarm clocks are the noise that many of us dread hearing in the morning. After all, it means we have to wake up and start the day instead of spending our time relaxing in bed. What was someone meant to do when they were still pretty expensive and were often unreliable? That’s where knocker-uppers came in.

These were the ones employed to wake people each morning. Mary Smith is one of the most famous of them all, settling on a peashooter and dried peas as her chosen way to wake her clients. Mary earned around six pence a week for shooting the peas at someone’s window, with this photo coming from East London in the 1930s.

Emperor Hirohito was captured inspecting some unusual technology from WWII

World War II marked a huge turning point across the world. Of course, it also meant that nations had to use what they had at their disposal, including items they had in their collection. One of those has led to the more unusual - and lesser-known things that many have never seen. One of them came from Japan.

Emperor Hirohito was captured inspecting one of those things toward the end of the war as someone photographed the moment he was checking his acoustic aircraft locators. They were used to detect the noise of any plane engines that could be flying overhead but look almost out of this world compared to technology used in the modern day.

Train accidents aren’t as common as some people believe

The idea of being involved in a train accident can be enough to put many off the idea of getting on the transport again. While there’s a good chance that it will never happen, that doesn’t mean it’s entirely out of the question. In fact, that was the case in Paris back on October 22, 1895.

One train was supposed to pull into the Montparnasse station but came in too fast and failed to apply the brakes. With nowhere to go, the train’s engine and front carriages burst through the wall and plummeted to the street below. It’s certainly a sight no one expected to see at the station that morning.

Mongolian Prisoner in a Box got plenty of people talking

What might look like a harmless punishment to some is a moment that many might not realize is actually someone losing their life. This snap was taken in 1913 and is captioned ‘Mongolian Prisoner in a Box’ as it shows a woman who has been sentenced to capital punishment. Unfortunately, many believe the woman had committed adultery.

The hole in the side of the box was to allow people fresh air and a chance to reach down for food and water that would periodically be left outside. Of course, this would just delay the inevitable, as being locked in a box in the middle of the blazing sun would eventually mean someone would agonizingly lose their life.

Malaria outbreaks is something many missed about World War II

Cramped conditions. A lack of access to medical care. People moving across the world. Life throughout World War II was harsh, and saw plenty of people fall ill. Still, one thing that plenty don’t know about the time was just how much malaria gripped the world. In fact, it saw some soldiers go to extreme measures.

Trying to avoid the spread of malaria meant that soldiers across Italy would spray the inside of houses to eradicate the illness. Here, a soldier is seen using kerosene and DDT to try and control yet another malaria outbreak across the country. Sadly, not everyone appears to be that happy that he’s there to help.

The Radium Girls sparked a major change for women in the workplace

Things have changed a lot throughout the years. Sadly, those changes were yet to come into force back in the 1900s, as the Radium Girls proved. While the men were given lead aprons, the women were asked to lick their paintbrushes to get a fine point while working with glowing paint on clock faces at a warehouse in New Jersey.

Many considered themselves lucky to be earning such a high wage amid the war, with 1917 marking a turning point in the warehouse. Tragically, the Radium Girls had no idea the damage the chemical was doing, with most developing cancer, their jaws falling off, or their vertebrae collapsing before losing their lives in agonizing ways throughout the years.

Enos the chimpanzee became the first chimp to orbit the planet

While he might not have been the first chimpanzee who was launched into space courtesy of NASA, Enos the chimpanzee became the first to orbit the Earth. It all happened in November 1961 and marked a major moment in the Space Race. Amazingly, he was only bought by NASA the year before his space mission.

In fact, Enos went through over 1,250 hours of training before he was cleared to launch the following year. To start, Enos was supposed to make it three times around the planet, but it was reduced to two when a malfunction meant the chimp was shocked 76 times, and the capsule started to overheat, endangering his life.

Wojtek the bear became a part of the Polish army and earned his own rank

Things aren’t the same as they used to be, especially when it comes to getting around. At least, that was the case in WWII when Polish forces moved to try and join British troops. The twist? They discovered an orphaned bear they named Wojtek along the way and quickly took him in as the group’s mascot. It didn’t stop there.

Wojtek became a true part of the troops, drinking milk from bottles and hanging out with the other soldiers. He even learned how to salute and became a huge source of joy. Although he was almost left behind for not being a part of the army, the troops named Wojtek a corporal with his own pay book and service number.

Lunch with a view was a lot different back in the day

Some jobs require us to be braver than others. What about a job as a waiter? While it means we have to deal with the public, it doesn’t usually mean that we have to put our lives on the line. That is until we get to waiters who somehow found themselves hundreds of feet above the city.

The moment came in November 1930 when two workers broke for lunch while building the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. The building, found in New York, was enough to cause a stir even before it was complete, with two waiters taking things to new levels by offering up the ultimate lunch with a view of the city - in a way most would avoid.

No one really knows the purpose of the Wildman Suit

If you want to take a look at the Wildman Suit, you’ll need to visit the Menil Collection found in Houston, Texas. It’s a one-of-a-kind suit that comes with all kinds of unusual aspects. For one, it’s a double-layered suit of armor. Of course, the most stand-out piece of it all is the fact the armor is covered in spikes.

They’re actually one-inch nails that cover the piece from top to bottom. Some have theorized the Wildman Suit is none other than a bear-hunting suit from 1800s Siberia. Others think that it was used in Elizabethian England for bear-baiting. Whatever the case, the true purpose has escaped the history books and left a terrifying image in its wake.

Tim Allen wasn’t always the loveable comedic actor we know and love today

Ever wonder how our favorite celebrities got their start in life? Some have been working the cameras since their early days. Others got their start later in life. Tim Allen? He began his life working as a low-level narcotics dealer. Things took a major turn in October 1978 when he was caught with 1.4 pounds of illegal substances.

The airport run almost landed Tim a life sentence behind bars for his part in the deal - until he ratted out his partners. Amazingly, the judge even told the actor that he would “be a very successful comedian” after Tim charmed his way through the ordeal. Two years and four months in prison later, Tim was released.

Wearing swimsuits wasn’t always an easy task for women at the beach

Fashion has seen plenty of unusual trends come and go throughout the years. What was once the best thing and seen across the world has long disappeared into the history books. What about the time that women had to ensure they didn’t have too much skin on show when they wore swimsuits? That was life in the 1920s.

In fact, this photo from 1922 shows that beach police officers took their jobs pretty seriously. That’s because Bill Norton always made sure he had a tape measure with him to measure the distance between a woman’s swimsuit and her knee. The moment happened in Washington, D.C., as they checked the gap wasn’t too large.

Being tarred and feathered has long been a part of history

It’s no secret that World War One saw a lot of upset and conflict across the world. Sadly, it saw a lot of people turn on German nationals living around the planet. One of those was none other than a farmer named John Meints, who was living in Minnesota in August 1918. Sadly, he was targeted by the locals.

John posed for painful photos shortly after he had been attacked by his neighbors, who whipped the farmer before covering him with tar and feathers. It’s long been used by various mobs as a way to publicly humiliate someone, with people accusing John of not supporting local war efforts happening in Minnesota at the time.

The Isolator never caught on as a breakthrough invention

If there is one thing that we’ve learned, it’s that the conveniences of modern life have also brought about plenty of inconveniences. That’s partly what kept inventor Hugo Gernsback so busy throughout his career, as he was always looking to the future and how we could make our lives even better. One answer came in the form of The Isolator.

The idea was to block out all sights, sounds, and distractions from anything other than what someone was supposed to be working on by slipping inside The Isolator. While the ideas were there, it didn’t take off. The public was less than impressed with Hugo’s invention when it debuted in 1925, and The Isolator soon disappeared.

Kangaroo boxing wasn’t something made up for the books

Plenty have heard of whispers of kangaroo boxing in the past, but it was all a thing from the storybooks, right? Wrong. It turns out the sport was actually a thing that gripped the world throughout the 1800s, but was predominantly performed in the US and Europe. Here, people really would step into the ring with kangaroos.

Most of the fighters were either professional boxers or clowns hoping to entertain the crowd. The pair would go head to head, such as this duo fighting it out in Berlin, Germany, back in 1924. Although it was once a popular sight, kangaroo boxing faded out throughout the years as many believed it was cruel to the animals.

Switching sides of the road caused mayhem in Sweden in the ‘60s

For years, nations across the world all rode their horses, drove their carts, and had their vehicles on the left side of the road. It’s believed it was inspired by the Ancient Romans, who steered their chariots with their left hand and used the right for wielding weapons. That was until Napoleon came along and changed French ways.

Being right-handed meant Napoleon rode on the right side of the road, with many nations making the switch to stick with their neighbors. While 76 countries still drive on the left, it wasn’t always an easy switch. In fact, September 3, 1967, marked carnage in Stockholm, Sweden, as it was the day things changed from left to right.

The Prohibition era of the US saw many turn to illegal trades

Things were incredibly different for those living in the US between 1920 and 1933. That’s because prohibition laws meant that adult beverages were completely illegal, leading many to illegally make drinks to sell on the underground market. Apparently, many had been trying to ban the sale of drinks from the 19th century before the law took hold.

One of the many that were caught in it all was this illegal distillery in Detroit. Prohibition agents were always on the hunt to ensure no one was illegally making drinks to sell, leaving this place with little choice in 1929. That’s right; that’s drink pouring out of the windows as they had to shut the site down.

The TV goggles never caught on after Hugo Gernsback showcased his invention

It turns out that being a publisher was enough to see Hugo Gernsback the title of ‘The Father of Science Fiction.’ Still, that’s not all that’s seen his name go down in the history books. It turns out Hugo also worked as an inventor and would often come up with game-changing ideas - such as his TV goggles.

Hugo showed them off to Life magazine, as he hoped to change the way people could watch their favorite shows. Of course, the giant antenna sticking up on either side didn’t make the goggles the most practical thing in the world. Then there was the fact most people would simply watch the TV in their front room instead.

Behind the scenes at Disneyland might be more terrifying than magical

Disneyland is one of the most magical - and popular - places on Earth. Millions come from across the world every year to enjoy the magic brought to life in front of their eyes, but what about life in the parks before the modern-day twist? It appears things might have been a little eerier than many ever imagined.

People still needed to take their break back in 1961, and it meant cast members headed backstage in their full costumes. Many have since accused the behind-the-scenes snap of being staged. Others can’t help but notice how eerie the entire thing seems. We just have one question: how is the astronaut supposed to eat through his helmet?

Ronald McDonald was once the stuff of nightmares

When we think of McDonald’s, we probably don’t picture a nightmare. What if that was once the case for people heading to the fast-food chain? That was all thanks to the original Ronald McDonald, who was seemingly enough to put most people off their food and see them out the door faster than we can break an ice cream machine.

The character was brought to life by actor Willard Scott, who was covered in all kinds of packaging to make his clown character stand out even more. The advertisement was shown in Washington, D.C., and shows that Ronald has come a long way throughout the years. We think that might be a good thing.

The Cyclomer is one of many scrapped amphibious vehicles

There have been plenty of people who have tried their hand at making amphibious vehicles throughout the years. While many have been successful, not every idea has taken off and seen them hit the mainstream. After all, there’s little need for amphibious vehicles across most of the world, but that hasn’t stopped people from trying.

One of those moments came in 1932, with this man riding his amphibious bike through the streets of Paris. Sadly, the Cyclomer never caught on, and it was scrapped almost as soon as it was released. We just want to know if it floated on the water as it promised or if it thrived better on land.

The first body armor used in the US was very different from today

The start of the First World War meant that plenty of nations had to scramble together anything they could in case they found themselves on the frontlines. The US was no exception. That’s how soldiers ended up wearing some pretty unusual outfits, such as the Brewster Body Shield, aka the first body armor used across the nation.

It was developed during the war, with this photo coming from somewhere between 1917 and 1918. Amazingly the suit was made from a combination of steel, nickel, and chrome and could weigh as much as 40 pounds. Thankfully, it did stop some bullets, but it was a hefty addition to take into battle and didn’t last for long.

Seeing the Peacekeeper beams often spelled worrying times

There was once a time when everyone was on the edge of their seats to see who was going to fire the first nuclear weapon. It was a terrifying moment that had many worried, especially with sights like this. This was none other than one of the US’s Peacekeepers, a nuclear missile that fired eight beams into the sky.

The sky came alive above the Marshall Islands in 1984, but thankfully, nothing came of the display. Apparently, the Peacekeeper could fire up to ten missiles at once at different targets but was never used. The end of the Cold War also marked the moment it was no longer needed, with the US retiring the last Peacekeeper in 2005.

Portable jail cells from the ‘20s look almost comical

Things haven’t changed that much on paper. After all, there’s a good chance most criminals won’t walk down to the police station to hand themselves in after breaking the law. That means police officers need a way to get the bad guys from A to B without them getting away. Nowadays, we have police trucks and cars.

What about before big cars were used? That’s where the portable jail cell came in. All the police needed was a motorcycle and a sidecar that doubled as a jail cell. The picture was taken in Los Angeles sometime in the 1920s and almost looks like something out of a comedy sketch instead of the police maintaining the law.

Operation Babylift likely saved thousands of lives amid the conflict

Some say that war is profit. Others say that it’s a time for innocent people to get caught in the conflict and lose their lives. It was the latter fact that saw so many people rush to help toward the end of the Vietnam War in 1975. The US was desperate to help those in need, so ordered Operation Babylift.

The idea was to evacuate as many babies as they could from Vietnam in the fear that a worse attack was on the way. Planes were sent in that were specially equipped to carry as many orphaned babies as possible. In the end, the operation was enough to save 3,000 lives and give youngsters a new chance.

The Beautiful Leg Contest went to extreme measures to keep things fair

Love them or hate them, beauty pageants are nothing new. The title of Miss America and Miss Universe is something many aspiring stars have tried to achieve throughout the years, but we all have to start somewhere, right? It seems one contest that gained a lot of attention was held back in 1951 at the Palisades Amusement Park.

The New Jersey park held a Beautiful Leg Contest, but how were they supposed to keep things fair? It appears that covering the contestants with pillowcases so that only their legs were on show seemed to be the best idea. It's certainly a contest you most likely wouldn't see at your average amusement park nowadays.

The Statue of Liberty almost looks unrecognizable from new angles

From October 28, 1886, one thing has remained the same: the Statue of Liberty. The giant statue has long welcomed outsiders to the US as she raises her torch to the sky. Still, she wasn’t always a part of the coastline, with France gifting the creation to the US to celebrate their alliance in the American Revolution.

One thing many have never seen is what the Statue of Liberty looked like before she was constructed. That’s where this incredible lost photo comes into play. It was taken in June 1885 and features the face of the statue shortly after it was unpacked. It’s an incredible way to see the statue like never before.

Going to extreme lengths saw one store covered in overcoats

Most stores have looked for new and different ways to sell their things throughout the years. A clothing store in Denmark was no exception back in 1936, as the owner wanted a unique way to show off their winter closet. All he needed was a host of scaffolding and time to hang up 1,000 overcoats.

The spectacle was enough to cover the entire store and drew so many people to the area that the police had to be called. While it might have created more of a show than many ever realized, it wasn’t long before the store owner sold every single coat that was on display. Sounds like a successful day at work.

Egyptian mummies were once sold on the street by vendors

It’s not every day that we see a mummy for sale on the street. Still, that was the case in 1875 and other years throughout the 1800s, as people couldn’t keep up with the demand for mummies across Europe. People didn’t give the mummies the respect they deserved and would trade them for small prices.

Even mummy unwrapping parties were a huge thing, as mummies would be used as the centerpiece for the elite. Mummies were shipped across Europe, where they were ground down and used as fertilizer and in medicine until the following century when things finally changed, and Egyptian mummies were preserved and respected as they should have been.

Religion hasn’t stood in the way of one couple

It’s no secret that there has often been a lot of conflict between religions. That has long been the case between Protestants and Catholics, something that was particularly prevalent throughout the Netherlands in the 1800s. Still, that didn’t stop people from different faiths from falling for one another, such as this Protestant man and his Catholic wife.

The problem? Their faiths meant they had to be buried in different cemeteries, but they found a way around it all. The pair merely needed to be buried next to the wall dividing the graveyards. Then, they each had a special headstone built that meant they could forever hold hands, even if they couldn’t lie next to each other officially.

Faking photos never looked so convincing as back in 1917

What happens when a prank goes too far? That’s what cousins Elsie Wright and Frances Griffiths from England were about to learn in 1917. The pair headed out with Elsie’s father’s camera to play by the creek before returning and developing the photos. Elsie’s father noticed fairies in the pictures and wondered if they could be real or not.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - the Sherlock Holmes creator - loved all things mystical and was convinced they were real. Even experts believe they were real, and the pictures were published across the world as proof of fairies. The girls ultimately admitted they’d used photos from magazines attached to wings to take the photos before disposing of the evidence in 1983.

Octopus balloons weren’t as adorable as they seemed on the surface

You’d be forgiven for thinking this is nothing more than a decorative octopus balloon set to take the skies by storm. While it is an octopus balloon, it’s not there to keep little ones entertained. Instead, they were a major part of World War II, including this one that was launched from a barrage balloon training center in Tennessee.

The US wasn’t alone in using this type of balloon. Apparently, they were common across the world, as they would disrupt the activities of enemy pilots. One of the ways was to simply block their vision with the balloons. Other times, they would force the pilots to retreat or physically move the planes with the balloon’s large size.

Marie Tussaud saw masks become a part of everyday life

Marie Tussaud might sound familiar, but what about Madame Tussauds? That’s right; the French artist is the one behind the legendary wax museum founded in London and has since spread across the world. In 1789, Tussaud was set to lose her life in the French Revolution before she was pardoned and tasked with making masks of those who had passed.

Her art has been used around the world, with two artists making a mask of a passed person in 1908. The casts are usually made from plaster or wax and are meant to remember someone who has passed. This pair are working in New York and thought to be using the same methods Marie Tussauds used all those years before.

Two Hollywood legends know how to enjoy tea to the max

If you turn on the TV and hear the roar of a lion, it usually means one thing: you’re about to enjoy an epic movie. That’s because the lion opening MGM movies has been used for decades, but did you know it’s a real lion? That’s right; Leo is the big cat behind the opening titles.

He has become a Hollywood legend in his own right, so perhaps it was only fitting that Leo got to meet another Hollywood icon in the form of Alfred Hitchcock? The pair met for afternoon tea in 1957, and thankfully, someone was there to capture the incredible moment. It’s certainly one that should have been kept in the history books.

Salvador Dalí and his love of anteaters was a huge talking point

Salvador Dalí was known to be an eccentric character. Still, not everyone knows just how far the artist went and everything about his life. Believe it or not, but Dalí had a true passion for anteaters, something keen fans might have known before as the animals were often showcased in Dalí’s paintings and his various works.

Believe it or not, but Dalí even had a pet anteater of his own. He would often cause quite a stir when walking the streets, especially if the artist had his four-legged friend by his side. That was the case for people in Paris back in 1969, as Dalí appeared with his anteater on a leash.

The study of someone’s facial expressions led to some unsettling photos

Physiognomy has been around for years, but it was everywhere in the 19th century. It is the idea of judging someone’s personality and character that gripped neurologist Guillaume Duchenne de Boulogne’s work for years. He had the idea that someone’s facial expressions were the key to their soul and set about studying what it could all mean.

One of those moments came somewhere in the mid-19th century when Guillaume - on the right - used electrophysiology to experiment on someone’s facial expression. The neurologist used electric probes and shocks to trigger someone’s muscles and produce a facial expression as a result. The experiments resulted in a host of unsettling images, leading to this haunting photo.

Helen the switchboard operator was supposed to be a tourist selling point

It’s not every day that we see a Native American in such an unusual situation. However, that was the case for one woman - often called Helen - who was photographed working as a switchboard operator. The photo was taken at the Many Glacier Hotel in 1925 after the hotel was built sometime between 1914 and 1915.

The hotel bordered land used by the Blackfeet Nation, with many being used as employees in the hotel. Apparently, the hotel wanted the natives to use their “colorful native costume” as a selling point for the hotel to draw in tourists. It has long been criticized for using natives as tourist attractions instead of respecting them as people.

Halloween costumes have calmed down a lot throughout the years

Halloween is a day that many love to celebrate each year. Did you know that it’s been around for thousands of years? That’s right; it all started with Ancient Celtic people celebrating Samhain, a festival that saw people wear costumes and light fires to ward off ghosts. By the 8th century, it was a chance to honor saints.

Most of the changes throughout the years have been as a way to keep evil spirits at bay and welcome loved ones who have passed over to the other side. While no one is entirely sure when this historical photo was taken, it sure goes to show just how terrifying things used to be at Halloween.

Everyone could see John Dillinger after he was finally caught in 1934

It’s not entirely uncommon for criminals to become highly publicized figures. Still, it’s not every day that they’re viewed as heroes the world needs. Amazingly, that was the case for John Dillinger, who captured the public’s imagination. Although there’s no proof he shared his wealth, many fell for John fighting the authorities that gripped the Great Depression era.

Sadly, his reign came to an end in 1934 when the FBI shot and ended John’s life. Rather than lay him to rest, a morgue in Chicago decided to display the bank robber for all to see. Thousands of people gather to take one final look at the mysterious figure, with many thinking John resembled the period’s own Robin Hood.

Horse diving is one of the most unusual sports the world has seen

The idea of diving from a 70-foot platform would be enough for many to run in the opposite direction. What about doing it while on horseback? Amazingly, that’s what happened at the start of the 19th century. It’s said Doc Carver was the one to start the sport after his horse dove from a bridge with him on board.

Amazingly, he convinced his daughter to take up the sport, and it wasn’t long before it gripped the US. Horses would be led up carrying platforms before they jumped into a pool below. Amazingly, it was mainly the riders that suffered injuries, with one horse diver losing her vision. It eventually dwindled in the ‘70s thanks to animal rights activists.

Harriet Cole’s dedication to medicine made breakthroughs still seen today

No one is entirely sure what made Harriet Cole donate her body to science once she passed away. She worked as a hospital cleaner, with her body - or should that be her nervous system - still living on today. Harriet ultimately passed away in 1888, with Dr. Rufus B. Weaver doing a first: removing someone’s entire nervous system.

Amazingly, it took six months to remove and preserve the entire thing before parts of Harriet’s anatomy were displayed for the whole world to see. It was a major breakthrough in medicine and is something that can still be seen today. Even more impressively, it’s something that’s only been recreated three times in the years since.