The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in London is offering the public a unique glimpse into the nascent days of online video with a new exhibition that recreates the very first video ever uploaded to YouTube, alongside its original watch page. This pioneering digital artifact, a 18-second clip titled “Me at the zoo,” uploaded by YouTube co-founder Jawed Karim in April 2005, has been meticulously reconstructed using internet archives.
A Digital Time Capsule
The V&A’s display goes beyond simply showing the video. It meticulously recreates the user interface of YouTube as it appeared in 2005, allowing visitors to experience the platform as it was when it first launched. This includes the original layout of the video watch page, complete with its early design elements and functionalities. The exhibition serves as a digital time capsule, illustrating the humble beginnings of a platform that would go on to revolutionize how content is created, shared, and consumed globally.
Preserving Digital Heritage
By recreating this pivotal moment in internet history, the V&A highlights the growing importance of preserving digital heritage. The exhibition underscores how quickly digital technologies evolve and the challenges associated with archiving and making accessible the digital artifacts that shape our modern lives. The display invites reflection on the profound impact YouTube has had on culture, communication, and the media landscape over the past two decades.
