New York, 1930s: if you lived in a tall building and wanted your baby to get some fresh air, the solution was to hang a metal cage outside the window. And that was not the only oddity of the time.
1. Baby cages hung from windows (1930, New York) – Metal structures installed outside buildings so babies could get “fresh air” without leaving the apartment.
2. Full-face mask for swimming (1920s) – It covered almost the entire face to prevent tanning, since pale skin was considered a status symbol.
3. Gas-resistant baby carriage (1938, United Kingdom) – Designed by FW Mills to protect babies from possible chemical attacks during the threat of World War II.
4. Makeup protector before showering (1970s) – A plastic helmet that allowed the hairstyle and makeup to be preserved during the shower.
5. Shoes with cow hoof prints (1922, United States) – Used by clandestine alcohol manufacturers during Prohibition to throw off the police.
6. Portable television to wear on the head (1967) – Prototype created by Walter Pichler to reflect on the isolation caused by technology.
7. Freckle removal treatment with carbon dioxide (1930s) – Cosmetic procedure that included airtight eye plugs, nasal protection, and breathing through a tube.
8. Curling machine with multiple hot tongs (before World War II) – Device for creating permanent curls using dozens of heated clips.
9. Freckleproof Cape (1940s) – Sun-protective cape with built-in dark glasses to prevent the appearance of freckles.
10. Hamblin glasses for reading while lying down (1936) – They used mirrors to reflect the pages of the book and allow reading without lifting the head.
11. Conical masks to protect makeup (Canada) – Designed to shield the face from snow, rain, and blizzards.
12. Automatic polisher and brush for bald people – Device that polished the top of the head while brushing the remaining hair.
13. The Isolator (1925, United States) – Helmet created by Hugo Gernsback to completely block outside noise and promote concentration; it included an oxygen mask.
14. Piano for playing from bed (1935) – Mechanism that made it possible to operate a piano without needing to get up.
