Back in the early 1900's, in Revere, was a million dollar amusement park called, "Wonderland."

At the time, it had state of the art roller coasters and rides.

Wonderland also had an attraction that people actually paid money to see.

People went to the million dollar Wonderland to view pre-mature babies in incubators.  This is a fact, Jack.

Martin A. Couney's Baby Incubators

Martin A. Couney would take pre-mature babies from parents who agreed to give them and set them up in his machines to give the babies a fighting chance.

Wonderland in Revere, Massachusetts was not the only place where this "Doctor" set up the incubators.

New York's Coney Island was one of his stops. It was a very successful exhibit.

According to WCVB, it was found out at the time of Martin Couney's death, he did not have a medical license.

There is something to be said for his work, despite the fact that he wasn't a doctor.  Mortality rates for pre-mature babies before the incubator was very high.  After Couney's work, the mortality rate drastically dropped.

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Many People Were Against the Exhibition

As you can image, many people were not thrilled with the spectacle. People are not that much different from us, so imagine how you would feel.  Many thought that he should not put these babies on display and they should be in the hospital.  Trouble is, the hospitals did not have incubators.

There was at least one doctor in 2015, according to Futility Closet, who has credited Martin Couney with saving many babies and contributing to what hospitals use today.

Wonderland Was a Magical Place

For people of the early 1900's, Wonderland was the Disneyland of Massachusetts.  If you ride the T in Boston, that's where the name comes from.

Behind the Scenes at Edaville in Carver, Massachusetts

We combed through the attic and climbed through the storage area and the attic at Edaville, everyone's favorite holiday-themed amusement park in Carver, Massachusetts to find some of the vintage decorations from the visits of our youth that are still kept on the grounds as well as in our hearts.

Gallery Credit: Tim Weisberg

17 Items Illegal To Throw Away In Massachusetts

Materials Banned from Disposal (by 310 CMR 19.017) 

Gallery Credit: Mass.gov

 

 

 

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