History
The original FREE WINONA T-shirt emerged in 2001–2002 as an immediate cultural response to a real-world event. Created before modern meme replication systems existed, it later became widely copied as digital distribution accelerated.
Periodization of T-Shirt History
This project introduces a periodization of modern T-shirt culture based on how designs spread rather than how they look.
The framework distinguishes between: Pre-Viral Meme (PVM) designs and the Viral Meme Era (VME).
The original FREE WINONA T-shirt is documented as a transition artifact between these two periods.
Read the full article: Periodization of PVM / VME T-Shirts →
Supporting lists: PVM Top Ten · VME Top Ten
Documentation
FREE WINONA is documented in period fashion and news media, including magazine covers and international press.
Original vs copies
In the Viral Meme Era, replication is automatic. Provenance distinguishes cultural artifacts from anonymous copies.
- Documented origin
- Continuous production by the original source
- Historical context predating meme replication