In Jim Kershner's column, 100 Years Ago Today, 5 Sep 1923, had this bit: "Carol Mahoney, age 20 months, was declared "Grand Champion Baby of the Inland Empire" at the Interstate Fair. Judges gave little Carol a score of 99.875%.....yes, babies were judged.... while her closest competitor scored only 99.75%. She won $120 in gold after "four days of grueling examination by the corps of doctors and nurses."
I did some follow-up research on "little Carol Mahoney." Born on Christmas Day in 1922, Carol Arleigh Mahoney was born to William and Ruth (Hoffman) Mahoney. She married Robert Hepker; she died on 22 Dec 2010. No children were listed. (Information from Find A Grave.)
If you find the idea of judging babies to be wild and weird, Google this article and read on:
‘Better Babies’ Contests Pushed for Much-Needed Infant Health but Also Played Into the Eugenics Movement
Contests around the country judged infants like they would livestock as a motivator for parents to take better care of their children
No comments:
Post a Comment