History you can live through.
HistoryBytes was founded by Johannes Egger from Salzburg, Austria. His goal: to tell history in a way that lets you step into the shoes of the people who lived it.
How it all began
It all started with an old map. I was looking at a map of former East Prussia from 1895, a region that is now part of Poland, Russia and Lithuania, and noticed that many places that once mattered no longer appear on Google Maps at all. Hardly anyone looks at old road maps anymore. So I started adding these places myself, based on the old maps, so they would not be lost.
That grew into a first website where you could discover historical places on a map. Then came the idea of adding short lessons to every place, and from that grew the system of seasons. In the end it became a game: with an endless mode that keeps bringing back what you have learned, a visual feed to browse and the world map where it all began.
Why history needs to be told differently
History often feels impersonal and hard to access. You see dates, abstract records and a few old drawings, but it is hard to picture how people actually lived, loved and got along with each other. That is what HistoryBytes sets out to change: every season builds a deep understanding of one era, with images that show how it might have looked.
History has fascinated me for as long as I can remember, especially the 20th century and the two world wars. But really, the more hidden and forgotten a piece of the past is, the more exciting I find it.
Know the past to understand the present and shape the future.
Johannes Egger
How our content is made
Research and review
Every topic starts with AI-assisted research that gathers the key facts. Each text then goes through several rounds of review: facts are checked against sources, mistakes are corrected and the content is curated. A human always makes the final call.
AI images, clearly labelled
All images in HistoryBytes are created with AI and marked with an "AI" label. They are artistic interpretations, not archaeological reconstructions, meant to capture the atmosphere of an era.
Spotted a mistake?
History is complex, and things can slip through. If you notice an error, write to us at hello@historybytes.app. We review every report and fix it.
What we promise
- Completely ad-free, in the app and on the website
- Season 1 free forever, plus the first episodes of every other season
- Fair prices with no subscription traps: cancel monthly or pay once for good
- Your data is never sold
- A new season every month with more than 200 lessons
About me
My background is in brand building, digital marketing and e-commerce. I built HistoryBytes myself, from the first line of code to the finished app. I want you to get a lot for your money, which is why HistoryBytes keeps growing every month.
Try it yourself
Season 1 is completely free. No ads, no credit card.