Selfie sticks may seem like a modern invention, but believe it or not, people were getting creative with self-portraits long before they became a trend. Let’s take a trip down memory lane and explore some amazing vintage snaps taken with makeshift selfie sticks.
Way back in 1925, a clever couple found a way to capture their own picture without asking a stranger for help. Using a long stick, they pointed it at the camera, perfectly framing themselves in the shot. This ingenious solution shows that the desire to capture self-portraits has been around for nearly a century.
Fast forward to 1969, and we see another example of a selfie stick-like device in the Czechoslovakian sci-fi film “I Killed Einstein, Gentlemen.” A character uses a silver stick to take a picture of herself and another character, a glimpse into the future of self-photography.
Even camera manufacturers recognized the need for better self-portrait options. In 1983, Minolta released the Disc-7 camera, which included a mirror on the front for easy composition. The packaging even showed the camera mounted on a stick, a clear nod to the selfie stick concept.
By 1995, a Japanese book showcased a telescopic extender for cameras, further demonstrating the growing interest in self-photography tools. Although dismissed as a “useless invention” at the time, this device paved the way for the modern selfie stick.
The Quik Pod, patented in 2005, was one of the first commercially available selfie sticks. It quickly gained popularity, leading to a surge in similar products. By 2014, the term “selfie stick” became widely used, and the device became a global phenomenon.
These vintage examples show that the desire to capture self-portraits has always been there. From sticks and mirrors to telescopic extenders, people have continuously found creative ways to take pictures of themselves. So, the next time you see someone using a selfie stick, remember that it’s not just a modern trend; it’s a continuation of a long history of self-expression through photography.
