We've Come a Long Way, Baby!

Just posted something about the science of kids and this age of enlightened parenting. Now let's look back to how far we've come courtesy of Life Magazine's archives.

It's bad enough people cage dogs... but this?

Baby Cage, 1937

A nanny supervising a baby suspended in a wire cage attached to the outside of a high tenement block window. The cages were distributed to members of the Chelsea Baby Club in London who have no gardens or qualms about putting a child on a box dangling over a busy street.

Safety first!

Baby Holder, 1937

Jack Milford, player with the Wembley Monarchs ice hockey team, has invented a carrying device so that his baby can join his wife and himself on the ice. Because who wouldn't want to take something as fragile as a baby onto a rock hard surface with very little friction.

Forget affection and skin-to-skin contact, we've got machines for that.

Beating Breasts, 1963

A pair of artificial breasts with built-in heartbeat, an invention from - where else? - Japan intended as a sleeping aid for very young children.

Because ONE cigarette isn't bad enough....

And the title of the photo series these images came from? Surprise, sursprise... 30 Dumb Inventions. Just showed you 4, there are 26 more at Life Magazine online.