April 28, 2010: Smiling in Pictures and Re-Enactors

The questions: "When did people start to smile in pictures?" and "When did people start re-enacting history for entertainment?"

What I learned:
First, about the smiles:
I would imagine that everyone knows the answer to this but we just didn't think of it before we asked the question.

Remember two things: First, pictures used to take a long time. It was an arduous process of standing there and waiting for the developing on the plate. No one wants to smile for that long. Second, cameras were expensive and sparsely found throughout the area. That meant that getting your picture taken was, most likely, a formal occasion. And people don't often smile toothy for formal occasions. At least not back then.

People started smiling when taking pictures became a common sight and an immediate thing. If its not a big deal to get your picture taken, you can mess up a few frames with a goofy grin or a tongue sticking out. Furthermore, if it only takes a second, why not smile? You won't hurt your cheeks!

So, didn't learn a specific date, but wasn't asking for one.
Same thing with question two:

Seems that the Romans were the first to start re-enacting battles for amusement. That's another one I should have guessed, but didn't. The Romans weren't the type to entertain each other with plays about love and beauty, that was the Greeks, so they decided to entertain with sport, death and, the closest to plays, historical re-enactments.

The middle-ages re-enacted the romans. The victorians re-enacted the romans.

Sheesh, you know, the Romans are not that popular today in re-enactments. Sure, they exist, but so do re-enactments of almost every American era. PLUS the Celts and Greeks to a lesser extent. Of course, the big event is Medieval re-enactment.

As for that, well, I don't have to learn too much about it right now. I was going to learn a little for: The Muskogee Renaissance festival but I don't think I'll have the time or money to visit this year. I've never been to a RenFest but it does sound cool. I'm sure I'll go one day, but this year might just not be the time for it.