AboutWhat does the meme depict?

The 'I Have Failed You' meme features a scene from the 'Dexter's Laboratory' animated series, showing the main character, Dexter, standing in front of his locker. Inside the locker, there is a poster of Albert Einstein to which Dexter is looking up while saying, "I have failed you." This template is commonly altered by photoshopping different characters or respected figures in place of Einstein, to humorously express disappointment in failing someone's perceived standards or expectations.

OriginWho did it first?

The origin of the 'I Have Failed You' meme traces back to 'Dexter's Laboratory', specifically from Season 1, Episode 3 titled 'Dexter's Rival,' which first aired on May 12, 1996. In the episode, Dexter faces academic competition from a new student, Mandark Astronomonov, who proves to be both smarter and inherently evil. This rivalry leads to Dexter powering down his laboratory in a moment of defeat. In his dismay, Dexter looks up to a poster of Albert Einstein in his locker and mournfully declares, "I have failed you."^[1]

Origin: 1996