Selfie Waves

four waves of selfies

Selfies evolved through four waves: unintentional resemblances, deliberate self-portraits, accessible photography, and finally, the cultural phenomenon of the modern selfie. The word 'selfie' itself emerged in Australia in 2002.

• 🗿 The earliest known self-portrait is a sculpture from over 3,000 years ago by Egyptian sculptor Beck.
• 📸 The third wave began with photography, with Robert Cornelius and Henry Fitz Jr. taking early photographic self-portraits in 1839.
• 🤳 The fourth wave, the modern selfie, was popularized by Japanese photographer Hiroshi Mix in 1995, leading to the term's widespread adoption.
• 🇦 🇺 The word 'selfie' is believed to have originated in Australia in 2002, as a familiar shortening of 'self-portrait'.

A sepia-toned, low-angle shot of a man in a top hat and suit, with his arms outstretched, holding what appear to be large tubes or sleeves.