Ahhh, the good old days, back when men wore hats, women wore gloves, and absolutely no one thought to question why Uncle Frank was wearing that costume. These snapshots are the sepia-toned mysteries our ancestors forgot to explain, leaving us with only one conclusion: weirdness ages like fine wine.
There’s something deliciously off about these old photos, they have background details that whisper: “Something’s not right here…” It’s nostalgia with a side of “Wait, what am I looking at?”
So step into the time machine, but keep one eyebrow raised. Because behind every black-and-white grin lurks a story stranger than fiction and sometimes, history’s most charming moments are also its most unexplainable.
1
The Laughing Policeman
A publicity photo for The Laughing Policeman, a popular song in 1920s England.
2
Halloween, 1950s-Style
Here is an uncle in the 1950s dressed as a baby, drinking from his "bottle."
3
Seeing Double
Matching outfits in 1952.
4
Big Hair, Don’t Care
Hairstyle in Tampa, Florida, 1985.
5
The Great Snail Chariot Race of 1954
Martin Witter and two snails (from his larger snail team) in chariot race, 1954.
6
When Cats Had Their Own Pool Parties
Cat Swimming Pool at Fontainebleau Hotel, Miami, 1955.
7
1950s Circus Act
A circus act in the 1950s where a father throws knives near his baby.
8
Only in 1953
Win a casket! 1953.
9
1935 Had Questions
An unusual horse costume, 1935.
10
Street Swimming, NYC-Style
The kid is swimming in the gutter, 101st St and Manhattan Ave, NYC, 1949.
11
Basement Picnic at Grandma’s
Picnic at Grandma's in the basement. Why do we need an umbrella? 1960.
12
Toilet Paper Terror
Louis was mortified to see he had some toilet paper on his shoe, 1959.
13
Stuffing Trees with Sorority Girls
A competition involving stuffing trees with University of Maine sorority girls, 1961.
14
1946’s Mysterious Sky Glow
UFO? Meteor? 1946.
15
The Sphinx Gas Pump
Sphinx gas pump in London, England, circa 1930.
16
Zombie Bride Chic
1964 bride with full white face, looks like a zombie.
17
Octo-Boy
Octo-Boy with his Squid Trunks, 1945.
18
Don’t Touch the Hat
Nobody dares remove Mr. Peanut's hat, now he's glowering. Staten Island Ferry, NYC, 1972.
19
Dinner with Gators
Dinner with the gators at Luna Park Alligator Farm, Lincoln Heights, Los Angeles, CA, circa 1930s.
20
Meet the Portable Donkey
Portable household donkey with his owner Ron Brewer, Southall, England, 1965.