5. The Birth of Cat Memes
Cat meme are not an internet age creation, but date back to the nineteenth century. Henry “Harry” Pointer (1822 – 1889) was a British photographer renowned for his whimsical and innovative series of feline photos known as “The Brighton Cats”. Operating from his studio in Brighton during the 1870s, Pointer transitioned from traditional pet portraits to imaginative compositions that captured the public’s fascination. Initially, Pointer’s work featured straightforward images of cats in natural poses, sleeping, drinking milk, or lounging in baskets.
Around 1870, however, he began to stage his feline subjects in humorous scenarios that anthropomorphized their behavior. He used props and careful positioning to depict cats roller-skating, riding tricycles, and even “taking photographs” with miniature cameras. The playful tableaux were enhanced with handwritten captions like “A Happy New Year” or “Very many happy returns of the day”, that transformed the images into charming greeting cards.
