Discovery of America's Oldest Selfie | Knowledge #46

Nowadays, everyone takes selfies.

With the spread of smartphones, selfies have become a common form of self-expression. Surprisingly, the history of selfies dates back to the 19th century. Historian has discovered an early selfie taken in the 1850s in America, sparking interest.

The talked-about photo is believed to have been taken between 1856 and 1857 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The photo features a young man, . He is dressed in a shirt and tie, a checkered vest, and a suit jacket with a velvet collar. strikes a casual pose, sitting cross-legged on a wooden chair with his left hand near his face. Notably, a cord is wrapped around his left pinky to trigger the shutter, indicating that the photo is a selfie.

19th-century photography was cutting-edge technology and still developing. Techniques like daguerreotype and albumen prints were mainstream, making self-portraits a challenging task. The method used to take this photo was highly innovative. The use of a cord to remotely operate the shutter is reminiscent of modern selfie sticks and remote shutters.

Why did take a selfie? suggests, "He was young and perhaps just having fun." This mirrors the modern trend where young people take selfies as a means of self-expression and self-affirmation. It seems that even in the 19th century, young people found joy in documenting themselves and sharing with others.

This discovery shows that selfies are not just a modern phenomenon but have historical roots. It also helps us understand how methods of self-expression have evolved with photographic technology. By uncovering stories hidden in past photographs, we can gain new perspectives.