O'Rear originally uploaded the photo to , a stock photo agency that was later acquired by Corbis , a licensing company owned by Bill Gates.
: As support for Windows XP ended in 2014, the image remained a symbol of early 2000s computing, sparking numerous "recreation" projects by artists and photographers. The History of Windows XP - Lobsters 1920x1200 The History Behind Microsoft XP's “Bl...
The photograph was captured in by former National Geographic photographer Charles O'Rear . While driving through Sonoma County, California, to visit his girlfriend, O'Rear pulled over along Highway 12/121 to photograph a lush, rolling green hill under a brilliant blue sky. O'Rear originally uploaded the photo to , a
: Because the original film was so valuable, no shipping company would insure it for the full amount. O'Rear had to personally fly to Microsoft’s headquarters in Seattle to hand-deliver the transparency. Cultural Impact While driving through Sonoma County, California, to visit