I love watching historical film footage. It makes the period under scrutiny a bit more approachable and easier to conceptualize. Unlike Hermione Granger, we cannot use a time turner to go back and see for ourselves what things were like.
We also don’t have the luxury to go VERY far back, as the first single-lens motion picture camera was only invented in 1888 by Louis LePrince. And a great many of those early celluloids have deteriorated and are lost to us forever.
That being said, I think you will get a kick out of this compendium of short clips. Despite the video’s title, “The Gay Nineties,” I would guess this spans the late 1890s into the 1910s. Enjoy!
Wow, the sheer number of people out and about – and dodging traffic! – is crazy.
What aspects drew your attention the most? I’d love to hear from you.
Until next time,
Kathy
Awesome look back!
Thanks, Kass!
Ah, this is *great*, Kathy! Thanks for sharing. A great way to show what life was like in a really compelling way.
Thanks so much, Margot!
What strikes me is the variety of modes of transportation, starting with people on foot, carriages, railroad, horse-drawn trolleys, . . . .
I know, Vinnie, right? And all intermingling in haphazard fashion. 😉
Very interesting. I wonder when it was narrated. Sort of a double-nostalgia.
That’s a great point, Bill! Unlike other sources I use, I can’t find out the pedigree of youtube videos, unfortunately.
OMG, fascinating. The first thing that struck me was “Gay Nineties” — which is the name of my favorite club in Minneapolis! I’m now wondering if it’s a namesake. 🙂
By the way, I noticed I was double-subscribed to your list (my bad!), and fixed it. 🙂 Always love your posts!
Cool name for a bar! When I was younger, I thought the term “gay nineties” was meant to describe a time of life, like “terrible twos.” LOL. Sorry you were down twice, and thanks for subscribing!
I love those old film clips. At times I do wonder how folks survived in all that chaos, but they’re fun to watch.
Thanks for sharing.
Patricia Rickrode
w/a Jansen Schmidt
Makes you wonder what future generations will think of us, doesn’t it? So glad you stopped by, Patricia, thanks! 🙂