My Daguerreotype Boyfriend began as a viral Tumblr blog in 2012, curated to highlight 'handsome men from the dawn of photography.' The blog featured high-quality scans of 19th-century daguerreotypes and tintypes, showcasing soldiers, sailors, and gentlemen with striking features and impressive facial hair. It quickly evolved into a broader internet meme where users contrasted the rugged, timeless appearance of historical figures with modern dating standards. The template is frequently used to express a 'historical crush' or to make jokes about the rugged, unpolished masculinity found in archival imagery compared to today's digital age.