The London-based Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) has included the first video uploaded to the YouTube platform in its collection. The video in question is a 19-second clip titled "Me at the zoo," shared by the platform's co-founder Jawed Karim on April 23, 2005.
Medianews.az, citing BAKU.WS, reports that the footage, shot at the San Diego Zoo with elephants in the background, has garnered over 382 million views and more than 18 million likes to date.
The museum's digital preservation team also redesigned the YouTube page from December 8, 2006. This process lasted 18 months and was carried out in collaboration with the platform's user experience team as well as a London-based design studio.
V&A representatives stated that this step serves to preserve a moment considered a significant milestone in the history of the internet and digital design. YouTube leadership emphasized that the project showcases the beginning of a global cultural phenomenon.
The exhibit is currently available to visitors at the "Design 1900-Now" gallery located at V&A South Kensington. Additional materials related to the restoration process will be displayed at the V&A East Storehouse in Stratford.