What Were They Thinking?

Sometimes, when we look at old photographs, we wonder what the sitters were thinking as the photographer snapped away. Well, thanks to the revolutionary new Phrenographer Machine (patent pending), there is now an answer to this question.  When a photograph is run through the Phrenographer, a text message appears, revealing what the sitter was thinking at the split second that the photo was taken.

The photographs on this site represent some of the first pictures sent through the Phrenographer. (All pictures that had the word "cheese" appear on them, were excluded from this display.)
 
 


Name: Corporal Wallace Willingsworth

Summary: This World War I Soldier is obviously as disciplined as he would appear

Name: Sir Anthony Griffling

Summary: Apparently, this photograph was taken against the subject's will. 

Name: Thaddy and Snuffles

Summary: This message has baffled many researchers. Is this capturing the boy's thoughts or the dog's?

Name: Miss Mairsie Frimp 

Summary: This picture was taken when Rodin's "The Thinker" was all the rage in Europe.
 

Name: Harley 

Summary: Just one in a long tradition of Christmas Card photos gone wrong.

Name: Ed, Fred, and Wowzer

Summary: This unlikely trio offers a cryptic message that continues to puzzle researchers

Name: Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Summary: The former president, known for his sense of humor, has nonetheless startled scholars with this photograph.

Name: John Brown

Summary: This controversial spirit photograph has chilled many souls with its eerie message.

Name: Lewis Carroll (Charles Ludwig Dodgson)

Summary: The creator of the Jabberwocky and the Snark in one of his more energetic moments.

Name: Tim and Bob

Summary: The message of this photograph has puzzled many on-lookers. Was it intended to be funny or bone chilling?

Name: Mao Tse Tung

Summary: The former emperor of China in one of his more serious moments.

Name: The Little Engine That Couldn't

Summary: This aptly named little train de-railed when it struck a gentleman named Mordecai Foof. The headline in the local newspaper the following day read "Man's Ear Whizzed Off By Passing Train."

Name: Sir Branwalather Smee

Summary: This portrait was taken at the height of the foppish era when a gentleman's worth was judged by his level of ennui.

Name: Abednego Harris

Summary: It is a subject of debate among researchers what could have caused this man's shock and horror. Popular theories include: a troll, a pair of sentient trousers, and a dancing cockroach.

Name: Lizzie Smuckle

Summary: This photograph requires no explanation.

Name: Noah Webster

Summary: This famous lexicographer was known to be an ardent seeker of new words. It was rumored that he invented several of the entries in his dictionary to expand the sections for certain letters. Quare and Zin are possible examples of this.

Name: Geoffrey Muggams 

Summary: This stove-pipe sporting gent was known as one of the foremost pioneers in slang creation.

Name: Potsy

Summary: This little boy may appear on his best behavior, but his thoughts say otherwise.

Name: Outlaw Wally

Summary: Unlike Jesse James or the Sundance Kid this outlaw never rose out of obscurity. Perhaps it was because of his obviously lethargic personality. Or, perhaps, it was because his name lacked a certain suavity.