Diners are a cornerstone of America's food culture, known for their giant portions of home-style cooking, winking neon signs and rocking jukeboxes. But did you know that their roots go right back to the 19th century? Here we whisk you through the delicious history of US diners from the 1890s to the present day, taking a look at how they evolved from horse-drawn lunch wagons catering to late-night workers to the charming, nostalgic joints we know and love today.

Click or scroll through our gallery and feast your eyes on some of the oldest images of American diners that exist today.