Yesteryear

The Symbol of Brussels and Belgium: Amazing Photos of the Construction of the Atomium in 1957 and 1958

The Symbol of Brussels and Belgium: Amazing Photos of the Construction of the Atomium in 1957 and 1958

The Atomium is a landmark modernist building in Brussels, Belgium, originally constructed as the centerpiece of the 1958 Brussels World’s Fair (Expo 58). Designed by the engineer André Waterkeyn and the architects André and Jean Polak as a tribute to scientific progress, as well as to symbolize Belgian engineering skills at the time, it is located on the Heysel/Heizel Plateau in Laeken (northern part of the City of Brussels), where the exhibition took place. It is the city’s most popular tourist attraction, and serves as a museum, an art centre and a cultural destination.

The Atomium stands 102 meters (335 ft) tall, making it one of the tallest structures in Belgium. Its nine 18-meter-diameter (59 ft) stainless steel clad spheres are connected in the shape of a unit cell that could represent an iron crystal magnified 165 billion times. Steel tubes connecting the spheres enclose stairs, escalators and a lift (in the central, vertical tube) to allow access to the six visitable spheres, which contain exhibit halls and other public spaces. The top sphere includes a restaurant with a panoramic view of Brussels.
The construction of the Atomium was a technical feat. In January 1955, a first project was presented by the engineer André Waterkeyn, director of the economic department at Fabrimétal, the Federation of Companies in the Metal Fabricating Industry (now known as Agoria). The architects André and Jean Polak were responsible for the concept’s architectural transposition, drawing up numerous sketches in the process. The company received assistance from the consulting engineers Artémy S. Joukoff and André Beckers, who were supported by the V. Daniel design office. Construction of the foundations began in March 1956 and the building, erected by the Jambes-Namur Construction Workshops, was completed less than a month before the inauguration of Expo 58, on April 17, 1958.
Originally, the Atomium was intended to be a temporary structure, designed to last only for the duration of Expo 58. However, its immense popularity and success led to it being preserved and becoming a major landmark of Brussels and Belgium. Due to its temporary nature, the building required a major restoration, which took place from 2004 to 2006. The renovation included replacing the aging aluminum cladding with new stainless steel panels and modernizing the interior spaces. Today, the Atomium remains a popular tourist attraction, housing permanent and temporary exhibitions and offering a panoramic view of the city from its uppermost sphere.

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Senta Berger: A Leading Icon of European Cinema in the 1960s and ’70s

Senta Berger: A Leading Icon of European Cinema in the 1960s and ’70s

Born 1941 in Hietzing, Vienna, Austrian actress, producer, and author Senta Berger became one of Europe’s most popular screen stars of the 1960s and 1970s. She began her career in Vienna before moving to Hollywood in the early 1960s, where she appeared alongside major actors such as Charlton Heston, Frank Sinatra, John Wayne, and Kirk Douglas. With her striking beauty and strong screen presence, Berger quickly gained international recognition.

In addition to her Hollywood career, Berger starred in numerous European films, working with celebrated directors and becoming a prominent figure in German and Austrian cinema. Beyond acting, she co-founded a production company with her husband, Michael Verhoeven, contributing significantly to German film and television.
Known for her elegance and versatility, Berger has portrayed a wide range of roles, from glamorous leading ladies to complex dramatic characters. Even later in her career, she remained active in television and theater, earning respect as one of the great actresses of her generation. Take a look at these stunning photos to see the beauty of young Senta Berger in the 1960s and 1970s.

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Marriott Employees’ Luncheon at the Plaza Next to the Twin Towers on September 6, 2001

Marriott Employees’ Luncheon at the Plaza Next to the Twin Towers on September 6, 2001

The Marriott World Trade Center Hotel (WTC 3) stood nestled between the Twin Towers. On September 6, 2001, just five days before 9/11, the hotel’s management held a special employee appreciation luncheon for staff members. It was meant as a celebration of their hard work during the busy summer season and a way to boost morale.
The luncheon took place in one of the hotel’s banquet spaces and brought together dozens of employees from housekeeping, catering, front desk, and other departments. Many later recalled it as a rare, joyful event where staff could relax together, share food, and feel recognized. Photographs were even taken of the gathering — snapshots of smiling employees who had no idea that their workplace would soon be destroyed.

On September 11, 2001, when Flight 175 struck the South Tower, debris from the collapsing skyscraper fatally damaged the Marriott. The hotel was completely destroyed when both towers fell, crushing it beneath the debris. Tragically, at least 41 people inside the hotel — employees, guests, and first responders — were killed. Some of those who had attended the luncheon days earlier were among the victims.
Survivors later reflected on how meaningful that September 6 luncheon was — in hindsight, it became the last happy gathering for many Marriott employees at the World Trade Center. For families and coworkers, the photographs taken at that luncheon became cherished keepsakes, capturing their loved ones’ final days in the place where they worked.
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Beautiful Victorian Wallpaper Patterns That Defined 19th-Century Interiors

Beautiful Victorian Wallpaper Patterns That Defined 19th-Century Interiors

During the Victorian era, wallpaper became one of the most popular and defining features of interior decoration. Advances in mass production made it widely available, and its designs reflected the tastes, values, and fashions of the time.

Victorian wallpaper styles were often rich, ornate, and layered with symbolism. Early in the period, patterns drew inspiration from Gothic and Rococo revival, featuring intricate floral motifs, scrolls, and damasks in deep, dark colors. By the mid-19th century, the Arts and Crafts movement introduced more naturalistic designs, with stylized leaves, flowers, and birds, inspired by medieval and folk art traditions.
Other popular themes included oriental and exotic influences, with patterns inspired by Indian, Chinese, and Middle Eastern art. Geometric patterns also gained popularity, particularly in the later Victorian years, complementing the period’s fascination with order and structure.
Common colors ranged from rich reds, greens, and blues to gold and earth tones, often printed with multiple layers to create depth and texture. In wealthier homes, wallpapers were frequently paired with ornate borders and dado panels to emphasize the verticality of Victorian interiors. Take a look at these vintage photos to see the wallpaper styles of the late 19th century.

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20 Rare Photographs of Teenage Jo Raquel Tejada (Later Known as Raquel Welch) in the 1950s

20 Rare Photographs of Teenage Jo Raquel Tejada (Later Known as Raquel Welch) in the 1950s

In the 1950s, before she became the internationally famous sex symbol Raquel Welch, she was known as Jo Raquel Tejada. This was a period of her life where she was a young woman, a student, and a beauty queen, primarily living in Southern California.

Tejada grew up in San Diego, California, where her family moved when she was a child. She attended La Jolla High School. Even as a young girl, she was striking, with her strong features and charisma foreshadowing her later screen presence.
Raquel (then Jo Tejada) studied ballet from a young age and danced for about 10 years. In high school, she was active in theater and won beauty contests. She earned the titles of Miss La Jolla, Miss San Diego, and later Maid of California in her teens. These pageants gave her early recognition and confidence in front of audiences.
She graduated from high school in 1958 and won a scholarship to study theater at San Diego State College (then San Diego State University). Her goal at the time was to become a stage actress.
In 1959, she married her high school sweetheart, James Welch, and took his last name. This is when she began to use the name Raquel Welch, which she would keep for the rest of her life.
While still in San Diego, she had a brief stint as a weather reporter for a local television station. However, her breakthrough into Hollywood and her rise to stardom didn’t happen until the mid-1960s.

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30 Photos of a Young Michael Keaton in the 1980s

30 Photos of a Young Michael Keaton in the 1980s

Michael John Douglas (born September 5, 1951), known professionally as Michael Keaton, is an American actor. His accolades include a Primetime Emmy Award and two Golden Globe Awards, in addition to nominations for an Academy Award and a BAFTA Award. In 2016, he was named Officer of Order of Arts and Letters in France. Because another actor named Michael Douglas was already registered with the Screen Actors Guild, he adopted the stage name Michael Keaton, reportedly inspired by actress Diane Keaton (though the two are not related).

In the 1980s, Keaton emerged as one of Hollywood’s most versatile and charismatic actors, moving from comedy to drama and eventually into blockbuster stardom. The decade was pivotal for him, showcasing his unique blend of manic energy, quirky humor, and a surprising capacity for dramatic depth.
Keaton began the decade with his breakout role as the high-energy, fast-talking Bill Blazejowski in the 1982 film Night Shift. This role, alongside Henry Winkler, showcased his improvisational skills and set the tone for his early career. He solidified his comedic stardom with the massive success of Mr. Mom (1983), in which he played a laid-off engineer who becomes a stay-at-home father. This film cemented his image as an affable, relatable everyman, a typecasting he would later actively try to break. Other notable 1980s comedies include Johnny Dangerously (1984), a gangster spoof, and Gung Ho (1986), which explored cultural clashes in a car manufacturing plant.
Toward the end of the decade, Keaton made a sharp turn with two iconic roles that defied his comedic typecasting. In Tim Burton-directed supernatural comedy Beetlejuice (1988), he played the titular “bio-exorcist,” a crass, mischievous, and unhinged ghost. His performance was a chaotic tour de force that, despite him having less than 20 minutes of screen time, completely stole the show. It demonstrated his ability to play larger-than-life, eccentric characters.
Released the same year as Beetlejuice, dramatic film Clean and Sober showcased Keaton’s serious acting chops. He played a hot-shot real estate agent with a cocaine addiction, a role that proved he was capable of handling complex, intense, and dramatic material.
His most significant role of the decade was his casting as Bruce Wayne and Batman in Tim Burton’s dark and gothic superhero film Batman (1989). The casting was initially met with fan outrage, as many couldn’t see a comedic actor in such a serious role. However, Keaton’s brooding, intense, and slightly unhinged portrayal of the character won over audiences and critics, making the film a cultural phenomenon and establishing him as a global superstar.
Below is a selection of 30 photos of a young Michael Keaton in the 1980s:

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Freddie Mercury’s Birthday Cake, ca. 1984

Freddie Mercury’s Birthday Cake, ca. 1984

A funny snap of Freddie Mercury celebrating his birthday with his band mates, ca. 1984.

From Daily Mirror – September 6, 1984:
CUPS OF CHEER FROM THE BAND
IMAGINE the problem. The birthday boy has everything under the sun.
He’s world famous, he’s a millionaire, and he’s also a king-sized extrovert.
He also loves a joke like the next man.
He is rock superstar Freddie Mercury.
And the only guys who can hold a candle to him are his mates in Queen, Roger Taylor, John Deacon and Brian May.
Yesterday they presented him with a cake you probably wouldn’t see on display at the local bakery.
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Janet Randy — A Glimpse into 1950s Elegance

Janet Randy — A Glimpse into 1950s Elegance

Janet Randy was a fashion model active in the 1950s, widely featured in prestigious publications like Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar. Her sophisticated presence was consistently captured in elegant gowns and refined styling, reflecting the era’s postwar chic. She worked with celebrated photographers including Clifford Coffin, Frances McLaughlin-Gill, and Francesco Scavullo.

Her appearances ranged from striking magazine covers—such as Vogue’s November 1, 1951 issue shot by Clifford Coffin—to fashion editorials featuring designer pieces by Balenciaga, Adele Simpson, Traina-Norell, and Jo Copeland.
Janet Randy’s work beautifully embodies the grace, poise, and polished glamour of 1950s fashion. Take a look at these stunning photos to see the timeless beauty and elegance of Janet Randy in the 1950s.
Janet Randy in wool tweed coat with large shawl collar, photo by Nina Leen, 1951

Janet Randy in a warm brown crêpe sleeveless dress and jacket by Paula Brooks, photo by Frances McLaughlin, Vogue, September 15, 1951

Janet Randy in black brocade dinner dress by Adele Simpson, Vogue, September 1, 1951

Janet Randy in blue and black brocade evening coat by Adele Simpson, worn with a veiled hat, Vogue, September 1, 1951

Janet Randy in dinner dress of black brocade with loopings of pink velvet at the collar by Martini, photo by Horst P. Horst, Vogue, November 15, 1951

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Giorgio Armani as Photographed by Andy Warhol in 1981

Giorgio Armani as Photographed by Andy Warhol in 1981

Andy Warhol shot these Polaroids of Giorgio Armani in 1981—a quick session that turned into a cool silkscreen portrait. Armani said Andy stopped him in a hallway, took the photo in seconds, and that was that.

“It was a fashion occasion,” Armani recalled. “GFT [the Italian clothing manufacturer] was opening a new showroom. I received an invitation from Andy to represent the fashion scene-and with several others, including [designer] Mariuccia Mandelli, I accepted. Andy stopped me in a corridor for 10 seconds and took a photo to work off of, and when the final portrait was bought by GFT, he made quite a lot of money! Andy Warhol was a genius at marketing himself. Marco Rivetti [the CEO of GFT] sent one of the portraits to me as a gift sometime later. It is now hanging in my office. Years ago, Andy Warhol and I spent an evening together visiting a variety of New York nightspots. Even though I didn’t speak any English, he wanted me to accompany him so that he could introduce me to the city’s night scene. I have very fond memories of my time with him.”
You can see what Andy saw: It’s Armani before the global empire, but already pure elegance: soft blazer, sharp cheekbones, that just-woke-up-and-designed-a-masterpiece energy. In an interview, Armani was asked what he thought his Warhol portraits captured. He responded, “I think that he wanted to portray me as an icon. That is what Warhol portraits do: They elevate the subject into an icon of the pop culture he was documenting. These days, as I am older and wiser, I realize that there is a danger in becoming an icon, as people can see you as remote and untouchable, and they are less willing to tolerate you doing things that don’t fit with their preconceived idea of you.”

This encounter illustrates Warhol’s ability to swiftly turn encounters with public figures into art that elevates them into icons—merging fashion and pop art in a singular moment.
Warhol’s use of Polaroid photography, later adapted into silkscreens or vibrant prints, allowed him to explore his themes of celebrity, mass media, and iconography—a hallmark of his pop art legacy.

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Burkhard Mangold: Pioneer of Swiss Poster Art

Burkhard Mangold: Pioneer of Swiss Poster Art

Burkhard Mangold (1873–1950) was a Swiss painter, graphic artist, and one of the pioneers of poster art in Switzerland. Born in Basel, he became known for his striking and colorful designs that combined elements of Art Nouveau and early modernism.

Mangold studied at the Munich Academy of Fine Arts and later returned to Switzerland, where he built his career as a painter and printmaker. His poster work stood out for its bold use of color, simplified forms, and strong visual impact—qualities that made his designs both artistic and highly effective for advertising.
Aside from posters, Mangold also created murals, stained glass, and paintings, many of which drew inspiration from Swiss landscapes, folk traditions, and everyday life. His work contributed to the rise of graphic design as a respected art form in Switzerland, influencing later generations of artists.
Today, Burkhard Mangold’s posters are regarded as important examples of early 20th-century Swiss graphic design, celebrated for their timeless style and artistic innovation. Here is a collection of Burkhard Mangold’s remarkable works that showcase his pioneering role in Swiss poster art.
Brasserie du Lion, Bâle. Basler Löwenbræu, circa 1905

‘Eidg Sängerfest in Zürich’, “Deutsche Kunst und Dekoration”, 1905

Zugerberg Wintersport, Schweiz, 1907

Marque PKZ, 1909

Schweiz Kunstverein, Turnus Austellung Winterthur 1913, 1909

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