6 Facebooks From Before Facebook Was Invented

Unfortunately, it turns out Lincoln didn't invent Facebook — but it wasn't as far-fetched as it seemed. We've dug up six other versions of Facebook from the pre-Zuckerberg era, covering everything from outlaws to high society.

By
Russell Brandom
by Russell Brandom

BuzzFeed Contributor

1. The College Facebook

Via toto.lib.unca.edu

Feast your eyes on this North Carolina Junior College directory circa 1928. All the building blocks are in place: names, addresses, majors. If only they'd known PHP, they'd be billionaires right now.

2. The Mug Shot

Via hht.net.au

The first nationwide photo-sharing platform. If you were notorious enough, they'd even throw in status updates.

3. The Social Register

Via theempressofdress.blogspot.com

Any time after 1880, this is what you checked to catch up on the comings and goings of your city's socialites. Of course, it was restricted to the social elite — so it might be more like Facebook circa 2005.

4. The Bathroom Wall

Via bridging-the-gap.com

It's got open commenting, an easily navigated reply space, and a surprising quantity of Aerosmith lyrics. Looks like a news feed to us.

5. The Obituary Page

Via techcommasart.wordpress.com

I'll go out on a limb and call this hands down the closest the 20th century came to a modern day Facebook. There are pictures, friends and even an early version of the timeline. (They called it "biography" in those days.) The only difference is that everyone involved is recently dead — but you can't quibble over every little detail.

6. The Face Book

Via amazon.com

This plastic and reconstructive surgery guide was making the rounds about the time Mr. Zuckerberg was turning 13. Coincidence? We may never know.

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