logo
episode-header-image
Sep 2020
41m 45s

Babies in Incubators were Once a Sidesho...

iHeartPodcasts
About this episode

Nowadays, incubators are a common sight in hospitals across the US -- but, once upon a time, this life-saving technology was treated like a sideshow attraction. Hundreds of thousands of people flocked to 'Infantoriums' to marvel at how incubators were able to keep babies born prematurely both healthy and safe. And, the publicity generated by these side shows may be, in part, the reason this technology is in hospitals today.

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Up next
Today
CLASSIC: (Some of) History's Dumbest Military Prototypes
As Ben and Noel hit the high seas, they're celebrating with a special week of their favorite Classics. It's true that the world's militaries often pioneer technological innovation -- but don't let all those great successes fool you! The world's militaries have at least as many fa ... Show More
55m 49s
Oct 9
The Dumbest Mobster Ever Tried To Steal Ruby Slippers
There are few pieces of film history more iconic than Dorothy's magic ruby slippers from 1939's The Wizard of Oz. Yet, at first, the studio had no idea how valuable these would become. The multiple pairs of slippers languished in obscurity until costume department worker named Ke ... Show More
40m 23s
Oct 7
The Ridiculously Disturbing History of North Korea
As one of the most isolated countries on the planet, it's no surprise the Democratic People's Republic of Korea remains mysterious in the modern day. So, how did it become a thing? In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max explore the bizarre origin story of the "Hermit Kingdom," a t ... Show More
48m 25s
Recommended Episodes
May 2020
The Practice Babies
Practice babies were live human babies, cared for by college seniors who were temporarily living in home ec practice houses. The babies mostly came from orphanages or child welfare agencies, and were usually adopted after their time in the program. Learn more about your ad-choice ... Show More
41m 14s
Dec 2009
How will we have babies in the future?
In this episode of Stuff Mom Never Told You, Molly and Cristen ponder baby technology of the future -- from designer babies to robot children. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
19m 59s
Jul 2010
What's it like to have a baby in the NICU?
In this episode, Molly and Cristen explore how babies are cared for at a neonatal intensive care unit, or NICU, and share tips for parents with children in the NICU. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy in ... Show More
16m 2s
Feb 2020
Birthmarks: Probably Not the Mark of the Devil
It’s a pretty safe assumption that people have been born with birthmarks since humanity began, and between then and now we’ve come up with some wacky, even dangerous, explanations for them – even a few that survive still today. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.ihea ... Show More
49m 59s
Nov 2023
Babies on the Boardwalk: History of the NICU
Babies who are born too early often get extra care in the hospital at the NICU, or Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. But the NICU didn’t always exist – and it took doctors a long time to figure out how to care for these babies.  Join Joy, co-host Betty and their pal Ruby Guthrie to h ... Show More
33m 40s
Jan 2022
Sideshow 2: The Long Way Home
The story of Saartjie Baartman is not an easy one to hear, but it certainly gives us an intimate look into how the early traveling sideshow once operated, and how some human bodies were treated in the process. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.c ... Show More
28m 29s
Aug 2021
How Trepanation Worked
One of the oldest medical procedures in human history is also one of the riskiest. For thousands of years humans carried a type of proto brain surgery where a hole would be cut into the skull. And they were pretty good at it too. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.ih ... Show More
50m 41s
Mar 2022
Oh, Baby
Men and their unusual offspring are on display today. And believe me, this is a bigger deal than you'd expect. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
9m 59s
Jul 2014
How In Vitro Fertlization Works
In the U.S. alone, more than 6 million people are affected by infertility and science has taken up the mantle of helping them to conceive. Learn about the clever, though intuitive, methods of assisting infertile couples to have a child. Learn more about your ad-choices at https:/ ... Show More
36m 44s
Mar 2022
Another Banger
The inventiveness of people will never stop being a major curiosity for us to enjoy. But today's stories have more than a healthy dose of surprise. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
10m 28s