The Windows wallpaper has been the first — or last — sight for many people when they turn on their computers. It is the most iconic and well-known image of all time, and although it was believed to be an edited image, turns out to be completely authentic.
Known worldwide as Bliss (happiness) due to its ability to convey serenity and calm, the story behind its capture is fascinating.
The photograph was taken by the photographer Charles O’Rear on a sunny morning in 1996, when the sky was a deep shade of blue.
Walking a few blocks from his house, O’Rear captured the snapshot without foreseeing its future meaning, as reported in a video available on YouTube.
This landscape, which was the Windows wallpaper 27 years ago, was captured with a Mamiya RZ67 analog camera using Fujifilm film in the Napa Valley, north of San Francisco, United States, in January 1996.
Microsoft was interested in acquiring the image and contacted O’Rear to purchase all rights to the photograph.
The company allowed the photographer to set whatever price he wanted for the photo. Although the exact amount has not been revealed, although it could have been one of the most expensive images in history.
The debut
The photograph made its debut on October 25, 2001, when Microsoft introduced it as the default wallpaper on its computers. At the time, O’Rear had no idea what purpose his photograph would be used for.
The image is simple but its vibrant colors have left an indelible mark on memory and popular culture. It has inspired reinterpretations by fans and has even been the subject of memes.
However, after 27 years, the landscape no longer shows the exuberance of yesteryear. The hill is now covered in dry, weathered grass, with areas where plants are struggling to survive, as shown in a YouTube video shared by Andrew Levitt.
The land has been used for agriculture and has been neglected. The landscape transformation included the planting of vineyards, which meant the definitive disappearance of the iconic Windows XP landscape.