This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
What you probably need to get you through your day is a gallery of vintage clown photos from Los Angeles, right?
Clowns are a special thing. They're supposed to lighten our moods, but a lot of time, they just terrify us. Some have suggested that this might be due to something called the "uncanny valley." This when we're presented with something that's not quite lifelike or human enough, and it causes an unpleasant sensation. This is applied often to robots, but perhaps the exaggerated features and garish faces of clowns cause the same cringe. Or maybe it's because a lot of us have never recovered from seeing Stephen King's It as children.
The clowns in these photos from the Los Angeles Public Library span the 20th century in L.A. and range from professional circus clowns to hobbyists.
