c. 1914: Vintage LOLcats and LOLdogs
Harry Frees made a career for himself photographing small animals, starting in 1902. Three years later he started dressing them in tiny costumes. Although his photographic subjects look rather stilted, they were very much alive, and Frees borrowed animals from anyone willing to lend them to them—including pet stores. The clothes were made specifically for the animals by Frees’ housekeeper, and his mother.
It sometimes took Frees days, even weeks, of pain-staking and frustrating labor to get each shot, while employing pins, forks and other methods, and huge patience with the animals. However, Frees restricted his activity to one quarter of a year. During the other three quarters, he recovered.
Images: Library of Congress
