‘If Snapchat existed back then’: AI creator’s hilarious and haunting Gen Z–style historical selfies leave the internet spellbound

What if Julius Caesar could drop a selfie moments before betrayal? Or Neil Armstrong took a “moonwalk snap” with a geotag reading The Moon? Thanks to the playful genius of a digital creator behind the Instagram page @timeless_snaps, history is getting a filter makeover—and netizens can’t get enough of it.

In a viral reel series captioned “If Snapchat existed back then”, AI-powered visuals reimagine legendary figures and moments in history as if they were modern-day influencers. From Christopher Columbus sailing into the New World with a #SeaBreeze filter, to Daewin showing a sketch of his theory of evolution, to Princess Diana surrounded by cheering crowds in her iconic blue dress, these AI creations are as jaw-dropping as they are imaginative.

The Snap That Sparked Gravity

One standout reel has Isaac Newton reclining beneath an apple tree, phone in hand, about to snap a photo when—thud—an apple lands squarely on his head. The caption? “If Isaac Newton had Snapchat.” The AI art doesn’t just recreate Newton’s moment of epiphany—it captures his bemused expression mid-revelation, the stuff meme legends are made of.

From a sun-drenched Vincent van Gogh posing in a sunflower field, to Mother Teresa offering a serene smile amidst a swirl of compassionate chaos, the reels play on nostalgia, history, and internet culture with masterful ease.

Einstein’s Tongue, Titanic’s Tears

The creator doesn’t shy away from the dramatic either. One reel shows a giddy Einstein with his tongue out, the equation E=mc² glowing in chalk behind him—because every genius needs a quirky snap. Meanwhile, the Titanic is given a tragic yet oddly charming Snapchat spin, with Rose looking wistfully into the camera and “snap story” recreations that feel like Gen Z’s take on period drama. There’s also a side of satire. A visual of Julius Caesar and Marcus Brutus features the cheeky caption, “Brutus said it’s just a prank,” while a reel of Nikola Tesla reads, “Just powered a city for fun.” The Wright brothers, Genghis Khan, and even scenes from iconic films have been swept up in this whimsical AI time warp.

The Rise of Timeless Tech-Art

This innovative blend of AI, history, and humor has ignited the internet’s imagination. Users are flooding the comments section with applause and laughter. “What an AI masterpiece,” one fan wrote. “I loveee these videos!!!” gushed another, while a particularly entertained viewer simply said, “Brutus said it’s just a prank… lol 😂.” The explosion of AI-generated digital art is redefining how we experience storytelling, memory, and myth. These playful yet poignant recreations serve not only as entertainment but also as reminders of how far both technology and creativity can go.