This is where the famous Windows XP wallpaper was created in California.
The wallpaper of the operating system Windows XP from the year 2001 with the green field, the white clouds and the blue sky (see below) is famous all over the world and also known to most of our editorial staff. Even in 2022, some were still surprised by the fact that this is a real photo – including old hands who have used Windows XP themselves for years.
The iconic background bears the name Bliss
and is considered one of the most viewed photos ever. No wonder, after all, Windows XP not only enjoyed great popularity until the appearance of its successors such as Windows 7, but also years later. But what exactly is behind the picture?
This is behind the famous wallpaper Bliss
If Windows XP doesn’t mean anything to you and you’ve never seen said wallpaper before in your life: congratulations! You are officially one of our youngest readers. Jokes aside: To remind you of the picture, here is the original from the good old days.
The picture with the green field and the blue sky – Bliss (Photo: Microsoft)
In fact, this is not an illustration or a work painstakingly created using Photoshop. Although it may not look like it, it is a real photo taken by a professional photographer, more precisely by Charles O’Rear.
At this point we would like to know: Do you already know this information? Or did you think, like some of our editorial staff, that this is not a real photo? Please take part in the following survey:
Photographer Charles O’Rear created this image in 1996 on a car trip to his girlfriend’s place near Napa Valley in California. In 2000, Microsoft finally acquired the license and crowned the snapshot as the standard Windows XP background.
This image would later go down in history. Bliss means translated bliss
or bliss
and how ein Q&A from the year 2004 reveals in flowery words, illustrated the experiences Microsoft wanted to offer its customers (freedom, opportunity, tranquility, warmth, etc.)
.
How much money the photographer received for the flagship of Windows XP is unfortunately not known, at least according to the Wikipedia entry linked above. The artist is therefore obliged to keep the exact amount secret. However, it is considered one of the best-paid works for a living photographer.
What does the meadow with the hill look like today?
You can easily see for yourself what the area of the 1996 photo looks like today. You can use the coordinates to get there via Google Maps or Street View 38.250124,-122.410817 near the lookout.
Today the meadow is hardly recognizable, since wine is being cultivated there again. At that time, however, the meadow lay fallow because pests had to be fought.
Speaking of background image: If you’re looking for new material, we highly recommend the recent photos from the James Webb Telescope. You can find out more about this in this article:
Complete galaxy in one photo: James Webb telescope delivers unprecedented images from space
Was this information about the wallpaper of Windows XP old hat for you or is it surprised that it is actually a real photo? Feel free to write it in the comments!
