This was the kind of entertainment in the United States. I wonder who ever thought of this? I did not find information on this …
Baby or toddler racing was the most popular sport in the United States in the 1940s. The spectators looked at the children with affection and delight. Of course, from the outside it looks cruel, because the participants themselves did not give an account of their actions, but what happened was what happened.
Toddler racing was especially famous from 1946 to 1955 in New Jersey. The parents of the babies were engaged in non-standard entertainment: they dressed them in diapers, attaching name plates to them. During the race, children had to move only on all fours (the toddlers had that age when they could not walk yet). So, they were placed in front of the starting line, and then on the whistle they had to move forward in the right direction.
Races resembled a horse race in their appearance. Each baby had its own gate, which opened with a whistle, and then the mother followed their direction. Each parent was proud of their child and, being in a state of excitement, wanted him to win.
The aim of the game was for the kid to be the very first to get to the toy on his lane. To do this, the parents called them closer, attracting them with this or that trinket.
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Many spectators watched everything that happened with pleasure, even placing bets. Parents of kids in case of victory often received a cash prize, although there were cases of receiving other awards. The crowd shouted joyfully the name of the one they were rooting for.
Of course, in addition to the human noise, one could hear the cries and cries of the participants. I would like to emphasize that most of the children enjoyed doing what they were told, being in the company of the same kids. The great fun encouraged them, and they knew that at the end of the race they would be handed a toy.
Parents beckon children with toys and other trinkets.
During the race, some of the children were very tired, there were even cases when the kids fell asleep before reaching the distance. If the child moved in the wrong direction or tried to stand up on his own, then disqualification followed.
Here's a curious story that took place in the United States in the 1940s.