Ah, the red telephone booth! You know, that charming British icon that’s now more famous for photobombs than phone calls. Yes, these cult classics are turning 100 this May, and we’re all in for a nostalgic ride. And, of course, all images here are courtesy of my trusty Leica.

Back in 1924, the legendary architect Giles Gilbert Scott decided to jazz up the boring concrete Kiosk No. 1. He came up with the K2, not to be confused with the mountain—it’s much easier to scale, trust me. Scott envisioned it silver, but the powers that be opted for red. Good call, because now they match London’s double-decker buses and post boxes.

Fast forward to today, and we’ve got about 3,000 of these red relics left. Why? Well, in the age of smartphones, no one needs a payphone unless they’re reenacting a scene from a 90s movie. Enter BT's genius idea: sell them off for a pound each! Now, they’re everything from tiny libraries to defibrillator stations. Some folks even use them as greenhouses or showers—imagine that!

While their numbers dwindle, their charm certainly doesn't. These booths are heritage-listed, so they’re not going anywhere soon. They’re as British as tea and the Queen (or King, as it may be). So next time you're in London, snap a selfie with a red booth. Just remember, it’s more for Instagram than emergency calls.

Happy 100th, you fabulous red booths! Cheers to another century of being the backdrop for tourists everywhere.