Colour pictures for everyone! That was the idea behind the photochrome process, which was devised in Zurich in the late 19th century – and quickly took over the world.

In 1947, the artiste Unus balanced on Switzerland’s tallest skyscraper, in Lausanne. His feat was witnessed by scores of press photographers, and even more spectators.

In the history of professional photography, there are fewer well-known female photographers than male ones. There have, of course, been more male photographers overall, but this has also been due in part to social convention.

The Swiss hairdressing championships of 1946 were to be a special occasion, as the first national competition since the war.

In 1965, mountain climber Walter Bonatti conquered the north face of the Matterhorn. In winter, and solo. A gift for the press photographers.

A 100th birthday used to be a big deal, and the press wanted to be part of it as well. Heart-warming articles were written about the lives of ordinary people.

There was a time before mobile phones. A time when press photographers were the eyes of an entire nation. Many of the images they captured are now forgotten, such as this photo reportage on the dairy industry in Bulle.

In November 1987, Bern police cleared Zaffaraya. It was one of the flashpoints of youth rioting in the 1980s.