Les Horribles Cernettes (LHC) are not just known for their music but also for their role in the history of the internet. A picture of this all-female parody pop group, posted on July 18, 1992, became one of the first images to be uploaded to the World Wide Web, marking a significant milestone in digital history.
The LHC band was formed in 1990 by Michele de Gennaro, who worked at CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research) as a graphic designer. The group initially started as a fun side project, poking fun at the lives of the partners of the physicists working at CERN. Their songs often humorously addressed topics like physics, high-energy collisions, and the complexities of relationships with scientists.
Happy 31st Birthday one of the first images on the Web!
On July 18, 1992, Silvano de Gennaro was asked by Tim Berners-Lee to scan and upload a photo of a parody pop group called Les Horribles Cernettes onto the https://t.co/Ym3ODC9tzz https://t.co/JTGiPHaQAw pic.twitter.com/bm74Rvrakh
— Web Design Museum (@WebDesignMuseum) July 18, 2023
The iconic picture, taken by Silvano de Gennaro, Michele’s husband and a fellow CERN employee, shows the four members of the band dressed in 1960s-style outfits, striking playful poses. The members at the time included Michele de Gennaro, Angela Higney, Colette Marx-Neilsen, and Lynn Veronneau. The photograph captures a blend of retro charm and a sense of the group’s playful spirit.
The significance of this photo’s digital upload lies in the context of its timing and the individuals involved. Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the World Wide Web, was working at CERN at the time. He had recently developed the first web browser, and the web was in its infancy, primarily text-based. Berners-Lee and his team were exploring the potential of the web, and images were a natural extension of this exploration.
Silvano de Gennaro, who worked in the same environment, was asked to provide a photo for testing the web’s capabilities. He chose the picture of Les Horribles Cernettes, which he had taken at the Hardronic Music Festival, an annual event at CERN. On July 18, 1992, the image was scanned and uploaded, making it one of the first photographs to grace the World Wide Web.
This seemingly simple act had profound implications. It demonstrated the web’s ability to handle multimedia content, paving the way for the rich, visual internet experience we enjoy today. It also symbolized the collaborative spirit and the blend of science and creativity that characterized CERN during that era.
Les Horribles Cernettes themselves became somewhat of a legend in internet history. Their involvement in the web’s early days added a layer of human interest and relatability to the story of the web’s development. The band continued to perform and release music, often incorporating scientific humor and references, solidifying their niche in both the music and scientific communities.
The photograph of LHC has since been featured in various discussions about the history of the internet. It serves as a reminder of how far the web has come and how it started with simple, human elements—people sharing their interests, humor, and creativity. The story behind the photo is a testament to the unforeseen impacts that small, everyday actions can have on technological progress.
