Bored Panda:

The photograph precipitated a dramatic change in how we perceive history. Amazing historic photos like these can make it seem like you were standing right there during that historic moment.

Books and paintings have documented history far further back, but there’s nothing like a photo to give you the sense that you’re looking at something real. A photo can still misdirect the viewer, but it’s still more faithful than a painting or book.

What a fantastic collection of pictures; it would be nearly impossible to pick one.

That said, this one of Nikola Tesla calmly sitting in his laboratory while being surrounded by lightning is pretty damn badass.

Via Josh Ginter.