Victoria and Albert Museum to display unique piece of internet history

TechnologyArt
18 Feb 2026 • 8:23 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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  • The Victoria and Albert (V&A) museum has acquired 'Me at the zoo', the first video ever uploaded to YouTube.
  • The 19-second clip, uploaded by YouTube co-founder Jawed Karim on 21 April 2005, will be available to museum visitors from Wednesday.
  • The acquisition also includes a meticulously reconstructed early version of the YouTube web page, dating from 8 December 2006.
  • A V&A curator described the acquisition as a significant moment in the history of the internet and digital design, offering new storytelling opportunities.
  • YouTube CEO Neal Mohan expressed pride, noting the display invites the public to step back in time to the beginning of a global cultural phenomenon.

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