While a whole lot has changed throughout the course of human history — the printing press, modern plumbing, and A.I. that may or may not lead to the end of the world  — one thing will always stay the same: Our propensity for trips, slips, falls, tumbles, and the occasional pie to the face.

From vintage rodeos gone wrong to a penny farthing wipeout, here are 23 old-timey photos of people absolutely failing at life.