Stuff You Should Know Selects: How Freak Shows Worked
Jul 2, 2022
Delve into the captivating world of freak shows, where performers with unique physical traits sparked curiosity and debate. Explore P.T. Barnum's role in popularizing these spectacles, raising ethical dilemmas of exploitation versus empowerment. Discover the dark legacies of sideshows and their representation in film, particularly in Todd Browning's 'Freaks'. Reflect on the lives of extraordinary individuals like the Hilton twins and how societal values have shifted, reshaping the narratives around these historical entertainments.
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The Fiji Mermaid
- In 1842, Barnum exhibited the Fiji Mermaid, a hoax made of monkey and fish parts.
- He promoted it through pamphlets and a fake scientist, deceiving the public and press.
Tom Norman and the Elephant Man
- Tom Norman, known as the "Silver King," exhibited Joseph Merrick, the Elephant Man.
- He defended his actions against exploitation claims, stating that showmen treated their "novelties" humanely.
Early Exploitation
- Early freak shows involved entrepreneurs exploiting children with deformities.
- Barnum normalized this by creating an industry around it, arguably improving conditions.