Rare Old Photos

Rare Historical Photos – Vol 2: Take a look at these fascinating and rare old photos to discover the real stories behind them! This is volume 2 in a regular series we will post of rare Historical Photos. Enjoy.

Removing Freckles with Carbon Dioxide – 1930s

Photo shows a woman undergoing a medical treatment to freeze and remove her frekcles with carbon dioxide. This was a popular treatment in the 1930s and 1940s. (Public Domain)

Rare Old Photos – Harry Houdini – 1899

Harry Houdini is one of history’s greatest and most well-known magicians. He entertained crowds with his daring magic tricks for the better part of 30 years, right up until his untimely death on Halloween day 1926. Here we present a rare photo of the master of illusion, Harry Houdini, posing nearly nude and in chains for an 1899 promotional photo. (Library of Congress)

Watering the Penguins – 1930

Zookeeper keeping the penguins cool by showering them from a watering can. (Public Domain)

1920s Swim Mask

Before the invention of sunscreen, some people actually wore masks to protect their skin from ultraviolet rays when swimming. While quite scary looking, they were a semi-frequent sight at pools and beaches in the 1920s. (Public Domain)

Rare Old Photos – 1924 Automobile Safety Invention

1924 photo showing a French police officer checking the safety of a new invention. The device, secured to the front-end of an automobile, was intended to ensure the safety of pedestrians. In the event a car were to hit a pedestrian, the device would (supposedly) scoop them up and cradle them in a safety net – rather than completely run them over. (NY Daily News)

Old Photos – 18,000 Officers form “Human” Statue of Liberty

July 1918 photo showing 18,000 World War I officers and men forming a literal human Statue of Liberty at Camp Dodge in Des Moines, Iowa. During the years of WW I, Arthur S. Mole and John D. Thomas traveled the United States creating “human” photographs that celebrated the American spirit. Using thousands of sailors and soldiers in uniform, the photos were part of a planned promotional campaign to sell war bonds. (Snopes)

1922 Beach Police Checking a Woman’s Bathing Suit

As women’s swimwear began getting shorter in the early 1920s, many beaches and public pools instituted policies with minimum lengths required between the bottom of a woman’s bathing suit and her knee. Showing too much skin could end in a $10 fine or even jail time! Thankfully, most of these modesty laws were gone by the mid to late 1920s, as there were simply too many women ignoring the rules. (Public Domain)

1920s “Horsemanning” Photo

Similar to “planking” today, “horsemanning” (AKA fake beheading) was a popular way to pose for photographs in the 1920s. The fad got its start thanks to the Headless Horseman character from “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” (Public Domain)

MGM Lion Recording – 1928

December 18, 1928 behind-the-scenes photo showing how workers captured the roar of the first lion (named Jackie) to have its voice recorded for MGM. The footage was used for MGM’s first “talking” motion picture “White Shadows in the South Seas.” (Imgur / Public Domain)

American Troops Return Home from World War II on a Crowded Ship

V-Day, 1945 photo showing a crowded ship – the Queen Elizabeth – returning American troops back to New York after WW II. During her service, the Queen Elizabeth carried over 750,000 troops and sailed some 500,000 miles. (Slate)

Golden Gate Bridge – Mid Construction – 1935

1935 photo shows the famous Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California approximately 1/2 way completed. (Public Domain)

The post Old Photos: Rare Historical Photos – Vol 2 appeared first on History Tribute Encyclopedia - Tribupedia.