olde timey lolz

The Breakdown 1914

If you thought sharing funny photos of cats was invented by the internet, let me introduce you to the work of Harry Wittier Frees. A century before Cute Overload, Frees was dressing up animals in human scenarios and taking ridiculous photos of them. 

Fire! 1914

Free's career began at a birthday party in 1906, when a paper party hat was passed around the dinner table and landed on the pet cat's head. Harry took a picture and just like that, the LOLcat was born. As time went on, his props and scenarios became more and more elaborate. His mother even sewed tiny outfits for the kittens, puppies, rabbits and pigs he photographed. 

Hanging up the Wash 1914

Though he photographed many different animals, Frees maintained that, "the kitten is the most versatile animal actor, and possesses the greatest variety of appeal". This dude knew what he was talking about. I'm not even a cat person, but look at that kitty hanging up her laundry! I can't even handle it- I think my head is going to explode. 

Making Baby's Clothes 1914

OK, ok, so the puppies are ridiculously cute too. Frees was obviously a genius. Check out the Library of Congress archive if you think you can handle more. 

[all photos by Harry Whittier Frees at Library of Congress via Vice ]