AP Wirephotos 90th anniversary – the 1930s

Eawatchf AP I Spain APHS Spain Civil War

The 1930s: The dawn of Wirephoto and a revolution in photojournalism

In a decade marked by the Great Depression and profound global change, AP introduced the Wirephoto service, bringing news images to newspapers and their readers faster than ever before. This collection captures moments of resilience, innovation, and the iconic historical events that defined the 1930s.

Behind the scenes

At a time when news was primarily conveyed through print and radio, the AP photo wire brought stories to life with vivid imagery, forever changing how audiences experienced breaking news. The first-ever Wirephoto delivery on Jan. 1, 1935 can be seen in the pages of the Des Moines Tribune, Detroit Free Press, and the Cleveland Plain Dealer.