The GIF Turns 30: How an Ancient Format Changed the Internet

Wired ^ | 5/28/17 | Klint Finley

[Lisbon1940]

Animated GIFs have transcended their obscure 1990s roots to become a key part of day-to-day digital communication. Some, like Orson Welles clapping or Michael Jackson eating popcorn, have become instantly recognizable shorthand. Others, like Sean Spicer disappearing into the bushes—itself a remix of a popular Simpsons GIF—serve up political satire. The GIF does double duty as both expression and as badge of digital literacy. Not bad for an image standard that pre-dates the web itself.

[JoeProBono]

[MarineBrat]

Terrific thread!

[Daffynition]

As a child of the Burma Shave era, I applaud the gif.

[Daffynition]

I have brain-freeze. So what of it?

[JoeProBono]

[Liberty Valance]

[Liberty Valance]

[Liberty Valance]

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

Jeb trying to figure out how to wind his digital watch and checking to see if he can hear it tick, that sounds about right.

[Liberty Valance]

[Liberty Valance]

[deadrock]

Incredible. There is nothing like it.

[Clearly Right]

Does this little bully remind you of the puny "journalist" who tried to pick on the new Congressman from Montana?

[Liberty Valance]

[Rebelbase]

There’s a user’s avatar on a website I visit that shows jail bars coming down in front of than Hillary gif a second before she pulls her seizure.

[Rebelbase]

That one made the rounds.

[Rebelbase]

You win the internet!

[zeebee]

TWA 800:

[zeebee]

[Rastus]

You might know, but just in case, it’s Wembley Stadium.