Africazine:
The Victoria & Albert Museum has acquired a reconstruction of the original YouTube watchpage, marking a significant moment in digital history.
This acquisition includes the first video ever uploaded to YouTube, titled “Me at the zoo,” by co-founder Jawed Karim. Starting February 18, the public will have the opportunity to view this historic recording alongside the 19-second clip that was uploaded on April 23, 2005.
V&A Museum Showcases Digital History
The reconstruction of the original YouTube watchpage allows visitors to experience a pivotal moment in the evolution of digital media. Neal Mohan, YouTube’s CEO, emphasized that this initiative invites the public to reflect on the origins of a global cultural phenomenon.
The video has amassed nearly 380 million views and over 18 million likes, illustrating its lasting impact on user-generated content. It also highlights early user interface design conventions that have become standard across various media platforms.
Key Figures on YouTube’s Impact
- Video titled “Me at the zoo” uploaded on April 23, 2005
- Nearly 380 million views
- More than 18 million likes
Exploring Digital Design at V&A
Corinna Gardner, senior curator at the V&A, noted that this acquisition opens new storytelling avenues about the internet’s influence on society. The museum aims to showcase the evolution of mainstream video sharing and the media economy that has emerged.
The V&A collaborated with YouTube to recreate the watchpage design, with the earliest timestamp documented from December 8, 2006. This effort reflects the museum’s commitment to preserving complex digital objects for future generations.
Future Exhibitions and Displays
- Mini display at V&A East Storehouse exploring the reconstruction process
- Continued commitment to collecting digital design artifacts
This acquisition not only preserves a piece of digital history but also inspires future generations to understand the evolution of media.
