Here's a precursor to the Chicago trains map dress.  From Judge's Library, 1893.

"Life is a movie, or a book, or a movie made from a book" (Pete Sinclair, Thinking Out Loud Through the American West, 1999).  From Jugend, 1923.

Here's a precursor to Werner Herzog living up to his promise that he would eat his shoe if Errol Morris ever completed the film Gates of Heaven.  From Le Journal Amusant, 1905.

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Here's a precursor to the rabbit in Midsomer Murders who is "anyone's for a cherry tomato."  From Le Journal Amusant, 1905.

Here's a surprising benefit to wearing Groucho-style glasses in the field.  From Le Journal Amusant, 1905.  Here's my very modest collection of vintage Groucho glasses precursors.

Here's a precusor to comedian Minnie Pearl's famous hat with a dangling price tag.  From Le Journal Amusant, 1912.

Here's a precursor to Star Wars, in which Emperor Palpatine tempts Luke and Leia with a wreath of the dark side.  From Le Courrier Français, 1886.

The original hot pants.  From Le Journal Amusant, 1910.

Here's a precursor to bars and restaurants allowing patrons to bring in their "comfort animals."  From Le Journal Amusant, 1913.

Here's a precursor to Bugs Bunny, Wile E. Coyote, and Acme inventions.  From Le Journal Amusant, 1921.

Here's a Prince Charles from 1910, in Le Journal Amusant.

Here's a precursor to Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots.  From Le Journal Amusant, 1921.

Here's a precursor to the bunny ears prank in photographs.  From Le Journal Amusant, 1912.

Before people looked at cat pictures on the internet, cats looked at people pictures in museums.  From L'Album Comique de la Famille, 1905.

Here's a precursor to Arrested Development's "Mommy, What Will I Look Like?" photo-aging service for parents who wish to see what their children will look like in 50 years.  From Le Journal Amusant, 1921.

Previously, we proved how Arrested Development is the grandest dirty joke in all of history.