The Oldest Footage Of London Is Now On YouTube

Here's a marvel: pictures that move!

The oldest-known footage of London is now available to watch on YouTube.

Video-maker Al Paton, British Pathe and the BFI have collaborated to make the scene of Trafalgar Square, shot in 1890, available online. 

The ten-second clip (basically a vintage Vine) appears at the end of Paton's amazing new film, which collates nearly 50 reels of century-old footage from around the city.

The 11-minute video contrasts the crumbling cinereels, which date from 1890 through to the mid-1920s, with modern scenes from the same locations.

Huh. quotes Paton as saying, "The idea that everyone in these films is dead is quite startling." 

Well, perhaps not that startling. It'd be more startling if they were all still alive and well, to be honest.

Still, it's a fascinating window on the capital's past, all the same.

[Via: Huh.]