HistoryPin : World’s largest user-generated archive of historic images ?

[Michael Wong]

Whether you love or loath Google's Streetview, the internet search engine giant has teamed up with We Are What We Do to launch a 'historical photography' website which allows consumers to "pin" old pictures of towns and cities on contemporary photographs. The site, entitled Historypin, lets users share their archive photos by loading them up to a specific location on Google Maps or image on Google's modern Street View.

Users will also be able to search either by name or postcode and then scroll back through time to see photos from different periods in history layered over their modern-day locations. Pictures have been provided from various national archives, as well as contributors including Selfridges, Marks & Spencer, the Royal Albert Hall and Arsenal FC. The result is a fascinating snapshot of the changing face of local streets and well known landmarks and will provide a new perspective on historic moments.

The site has ambitions to become the world’s largest user-generated archive of historic images and stories. A short introduction can be found here.

You never know - someone out there may have a gem of a photo you have been searching for !