Chapter
The Discovery of General Tom Thumb
23:40 - 28:05 (04:24)
The hosts discuss the story of P.T. Barnum's discovery of Charles Stratton, also known as General Tom Thumb, a distant cousin of his who stopped growing when he was two, and how he brought him to fame as a performer.
Clips
Side shows and freak shows started as small-town entrepreneurial ventures where children with uncommon looks were taken on the road to perform and attract crowds.
23:40 - 26:08 (02:27)
Side Shows, Freak Shows
Summary
Side shows and freak shows started as small-town entrepreneurial ventures where children with uncommon looks were taken on the road to perform and attract crowds. Side shows and freak shows became a legitimate way of making money and quickly grew in popularity.
ChapterThe Discovery of General Tom Thumb
EpisodeSelects: How Freak Shows Worked
PodcastStuff You Should Know
The podcast discusses how people with unusual conditions were displayed and treated as curiosities for entertainment purposes in the 19th and 20th century, with some being exploited for profit.
26:08 - 28:05 (01:56)
Entertainment
Summary
The podcast discusses how people with unusual conditions were displayed and treated as curiosities for entertainment purposes in the 19th and 20th century, with some being exploited for profit.