by Introduction: When Internet Memes Become History
What starts as a blurry photo, awkward video clip, or spontaneous reaction often ends up becoming part of internet meme history. These seemingly meaningless jokes have built careers, sparked lawsuits, and even influenced global pop culture. But behind every viral image is a real person, an unexpected moment, and sometimes, a much darker truth.
In this deep dive, we reveal:
-
The real people behind 10 legendary memes
-
How random moments became timeless symbols
-
The corporations that tried (and failed) to hijack internet culture
-
Which meme stars actually made money—and which didn’t
10. Distracted Boyfriend – A Stock Photo Turned Cultural Touchstone
Origin Year: 2017
Backstory: Created during a stock photo shoot in Spain intended for relationship advice ads.
Why It Went Viral: A relatable visual metaphor for temptation and distraction, used in everything from politics to NASA tweets.
Fun Fact: The male model later joked, “I didn’t make extra money, but at least my ex isn’t in the shot.”
9. Woman Yelling at Cat – Meme Alchemy at Its Best
Origin Year: 2019
Backstory: A combination of a Real Housewives meltdown and a photo of a cat named Smudge, known for being a picky eater.
Cultural Impact: Created a meme pairing so strong that the cat’s owner now sells merch, while the woman received no royalties.
8. Hide the Pain Harold – The King of Fake Smiles
Origin Year: 2011
Real Name: András Arató, a Hungarian engineer
Backstory: He posed for stock images and was told to “look friendly,” but his awkward smile told another story.
Legacy: Became a global symbol of quiet suffering and now makes appearances as the meme persona.
7. This Is Fine – The Dog Meme That Defined Modern Anxiety
Origin Year: 2013
Source: A comic strip from Gunshow
Why It Hit Home: Captured the feeling of ignoring existential dread while everything burns around you.
Creator’s Quote: “I just drew my anxiety.” The internet turned it into a banner for collapsing systems.
6. Bernie Sanders’ Mittens – Cozy Icon, Viral Hero
Origin Year: 2021
Scene: Bernie sitting cross-armed in oversized mittens during President Biden’s inauguration.
Unexpected Fame: Sparked a merchandising wave that raised $2 million for charity.
Bernie’s Take: He didn’t get the hype, but he embraced it anyway.
5. Trollface – The Original Meme Prankster
Origin Year: 2008
Creator: A 19-year-old artist doodling in class
Cultural Journey: Became the face of internet trolling—and a copyright battleground when Warner Bros. tried to use it in Ready Player One.
Outcome: The creator won the rights back.
4. Pepe the Frog – From Chill Comic to Controversy
Origin Year: 2005
Origin Story: A laid-back frog from the indie comic Boy’s Club
Downfall: Co-opted by extremist groups, leading the original artist to publicly “kill off” the character in hopes of reclaiming its legacy.
Meme Morality: Pepe became a case study in how memes evolve—and spiral.
3. Charlie Bit My Finger – Viral Innocence Turned NFT Fortune
Origin Year: 2007
Backstory: Two British brothers captured in a hilariously painful moment
Aftermath: Sold as an NFT for $760,000 and removed from YouTube
Reality Check: The once-adorable kids now hate being recognized in public.
2. Doge – The Shiba Inu That Launched a Meme Economy
Origin Year: 2013
Starring: Kabosu, a rescue dog from Japan
Cultural Climb: Inspired Dogecoin and was memeified into cryptocurrency lore.
Money Trail: Doge memes earned millions—though Kabosu herself still lives a quiet life.
1. Rickroll – The Internet’s Favorite Bait-and-Switch
Origin Year: 2007
Origin: A prank link on 4chan that led to Rick Astley’s Never Gonna Give You Up
Why It Endures: From NASA to Wall Street, no one is safe from getting Rickrolled.
Rick’s Response: He leaned into the joke and now performs paid appearances with pride.
Why Internet Memes Take Over: The Science Behind Meme Culture
1. Relatable + Random = Viral Gold
When memes reflect universal feelings—like Bernie’s cold slouch—they strike a global nerve.
2. Brands Try… and Fail
From Pepsi to Cheetos, corporations often try to “meme” themselves into relevance and end up looking out of touch.
3. The Internet Distorts Memory
Pepe was once innocent. Now it’s a cautionary tale. Online culture evolves faster than history can keep up.
The Dark Side of Meme Fame
-
Success Kid’s Mom: Used meme earnings to pay for her son’s kidney transplant.
-
Bad Luck Brian: Became a viral icon but was relentlessly bullied at school.
-
Overly Attached Girlfriend: Faced anxiety and harassment, now advocates for mental health awareness.
Final Thought: Which Meme Deserves a Biopic?
Should Doge get an animated movie? Does Rickroll belong in the Internet Hall of Fame? Drop your take—your comment might be tomorrow’s meme.
if you liked reading this article also checkout: Abandoned Theme Park Video Games
also checkout: Click Here
