Ever feel like the Internet has been around forever? Turns out you were right.

Over 400 years before Facebook, German college students had a social network called the Book of Friends.

Each time you met someone, you'd request to add them to your book – along with any random advice, quotes or pics they wanted to share.

Koninklijke Bibliotheek / Via kb.nl

In the 18th century, people looked at the world through real-life Instagram filters.

The Claude Glass was a darkened mirror used to make scenery look warmer and softer, like a landscape painting.

Via varc.org.uk

These English aristocrats were sexting each other 250 years before Snapchat.

Lady Grosvenor and her bae wrote their love letters in invisible ink, with strict instructions to burn after reading. It didn't work – the letters were intercepted and published, causing a huge scandal.

Wikipedia; Barton Galleries / Via en.wikipedia.org bartongalleries.com

Rembrandt's selfie game was off the charts.

The 17th century Dutch painter created nearly 100 self-portraits.

Via commons.wikimedia.org

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