The photograph known as "Bliss," featuring rolling green hills under a bright blue sky speckled with fluffy clouds, is indeed the most viewed image in the history of photographs, largely due to its role as the default desktop wallpaper for Microsoft's Windows XP operating system. Captured in 1996 by professional photographer Charles O'Rear, the image was taken in the wine country of Sonoma County, California, north of San Francisco. O'Rear, a former National Geographic photographer, was driving through the area when he was struck by the extraordinary vista of the landscape, lush and verdant after a bout of heavy rains that followed a winter season.
"Bliss" was later purchased by Microsoft in 2000, just ahead of the Windows XP release in 2001. Although specific details of the financial deal were not disclosed, it is commonly believed that O'Rear was paid a handsome sum, making it one of the most expensive photograph licenses ever bought at the time. Microsoft chose the image for its serenity and its representation of an idyllic landscape, a stark contrast to the bustling work environments where most users would view the scene. The company's intention was to symbolize the peace and ease of use they hoped users would experience with Windows XP.
The sheer volume of Windows XP licenses sold, with estimates exceeding 500 million copies, propelled "Bliss" to an iconic status rarely achieved by any photograph. It has graced the screens of computers in homes and offices across the world, becoming a global symbol of calm and beauty that stands apart from its digital tether. As Windows XP's legacy continues even beyond its official support lifecycle, the image of "Bliss" remains a nostalgic piece for many computer users, evocative of an era that profoundly shaped modern computing experiences.
