Can you believe it has been nearly 200 years since the very first photograph was taken.
But ever since Joseph Nicéphore Niépce's very first photo back in 1826, the technology available to capture photos has continued to evolve - to the point where most of us carry a high-quality camera around in our pockets every single day with our cell phones.
But in all that time, what do you think is the most viewed photo of all time? Perhaps it was taken at a historic event, like the Olympics? Or maybe its of a historic icon, like a president or royalty?
Well, with neither of those are correct.
According to Photography Talk, the photo in question has received more than 1 billion views, has been recognized as "the most viewed photo ever", and is probably etched into the memory of nearly everybody reading this.
Called 'Bliss', the photograph was captured by Charlie "Chuck" O'Rear. His image - captured during an otherwise uneventful drive - went on to become the default desktop background for Windows XP.
Speaking to PEOPLE about how the image came to be, the now 82-year-old photographer revealed that the photo was taken back in January of 1996 - five years before Windows XP launched.
O'Rear had embarked on a routine drive from his home in St. Helena, California, to visit his girlfriend in Marin County. Along the winding roads north of San Francisco, he encountered a vista that would define his career: rolling hills bathed in electric green hues, under a vast, blue sky punctuated by fluffy white clouds.
"I used to pull over often to take photos because the scenery along the way was so beautiful," O'Rear reminisced in a 2021 interview with PEOPLE. Armed with a Mamiya RZ67 camera loaded with Fuji Velvia film - known for its vibrant colors - he captured what would later be known as 'Bliss' in four frames.
Reflecting on the choice of equipment, O'Rear noted that using medium format film was pivotal. "If I had shot it with 35 millimeter, it would not have nearly the same effect," he explained in a video produced by MicrosoftNL.
Little did O'Rear know that this seemingly routine snapshot would become a global sensation. The photograph resonated deeply when Microsoft acquired it in 1998 through their purchase of the Westlight stock photo agency.
However, the transaction was not without its challenges. The sheer value placed on 'Bliss' prompted delivery complications. "FedEx wouldn't touch it," O'Rear chuckled, recalling how he had to personally deliver the original photograph to Microsoft's Seattle office.
Since then, 'Bliss' has transcended a mere photograph and become an iconic backdrop for a generation. It became the default wallpaper for Windows XP, adorning countless computer screens and embedding itself into the subconscious of users globally.
O'Rear humorously recounted how the image seemed to follow him everywhere, from upscale hotel lobbies to billboards and airport terminals.
"The picture, no matter where we've been in the world — India, Thailand, Greece — that picture is always there, either on some old computer in an upscale hotel that hasn't been updated in 30 years in the lobby the people are checking you in on, or, we saw that picture in billboards, airplanes, at airports," he told PEOPLE.
As for its enduring legacy, O'Rear mused to Shoot The Rabbit: "I have a theory that anybody now from aged 15 on for the rest of their life will remember this photograph."
And as somebody well and truly in that category, I can confirm that 'Bliss' continues to evoke a strong feeling of nostalgia!
Despite its ubiquity, O'Rear remains grounded about the image's impact. "It's just another picture for Chuck," quipped his wife, Daphne Larkin.
Kinda makes me proud of the fact I couldn't afford a Mac as a teenager...
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