The Ten Most Iconic Photos Of The 1940s

By All That's Interesting | Edited By John Kuroski

Published June 18, 2012

Updated July 25, 2019

The First Computer, 1946

The First Computer Picture

The images of the first computer debuted in February 1946 when the device comprised 18,000 vacuum tubes, many wires and 170,000 watts of power and filled a 1,500 square foot room.

The Most Iconic Photos Of The 1940s: Dalí Atomicus, 1948

This surreal image was taken by Philippe Halsman as homage to both the new atomic age and to Salvador Dali’s surrealist masterpiece “Leda Atomica”.

The bizarre photograph is actually a combination of people jumping and water and cats being thrown. The shoot took six hours, 28 jumps and various assistants throwing things in the air.

Enjoy the most iconic photos of the 1940s? Be sure to see our posts on the most iconic photographs of the 1950s and the most iconic photos of the 1960s.

author

Established in 2010, All That's Interesting brings together a dedicated staff of digital publishing veterans and subject-level experts in history, true crime, and science. From the lesser-known byways of human history to the uncharted corners of the world, we seek out stories that bring our past, present, and future to life. Privately-owned since its founding, All That's Interesting maintains a commitment to unbiased reporting while taking great care in fact-checking and research to ensure that we meet the highest standards of accuracy.

editor

John Kuroski is the editorial director of All That's Interesting. He graduated from New York University with a degree in history, earning a place in the Phi Alpha Theta honor society for history students. An editor at All That's Interesting since 2015, his areas of interest include modern history and true crime.