20 Vintage Photos of Everyday Life During WWI
Published: 18 July 2025
By Silvia Fernandez
via The Scroller website
WWI photos framed
Left: Two women in old-fashioned clothing lift large ice blocks with tongs beside a cart. Right: An elderly woman sits on a bench, holding a leash attached to a cow on a tree-lined city street.
These rarely seen photos offer a glimpse into the everyday realities of the era: from emotional goodbyes at train stations and women stepping into new roles at home, to schoolchildren doing their part and soldiers finding joy in the smallest of moments. It’s a side of the war rarely captured in textbooks, but one filled with humanity, hardship, and heart.
1. When Masks Became a Part of Daily Life
During the final year of WWI, mask mandates were taken seriously, especially with the looming threat of chemical warfare and the flu pandemic. Civilians across cities wore gas masks in public, blending fear, duty, and resilience in their daily routines.
2. Marie Curie’s Mobile X-Ray Unit Revolutionized Wartime Medicine
Amid the chaos of WWI, Curie brought science to the battlefield with portable radiology units. These vehicles saved countless lives by making diagnosis possible near the front lines. A quiet yet powerful form of heroism.
3. Fleeing the Warzone with Her Most Valuable Companion
This elderly woman escaped the devastation of World War I with only her cow. The image captures not only her resilience, but also the deep reliance many civilians had on their animals for survival in times of crisis.
→ Read the entire article on The Scroller website.
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