Freak show

Lore & Background

A famous early modern example was the exhibition at the court of King Charles I of Lazarus and Joannes Baptista Colloredo, two conjoined brothers born in Genoa, Italy. While Lazarus appeared to be otherwise ordinary, the underdeveloped body of his brother dangled from his chest. When Lazarus was not exhibiting himself, he covered his brother with his cloak to avoid unnecessary attention. As well as exhibitions, freak shows were popular in the taverns and fairgrounds, where the freaks were often combined with talent displays. For example, in the 18th century, Matthias Buchinger, born without arms or lower legs, entertained crowds with astonishing displays of magic and musical ability, both in England and later, Ireland. P. T. Barnum was considered the father of modern-day advertising, and one of the most famous showmen and managers of the freak show industry. In the United States he was a major figure in popularizing the entertainment. However, it was common for Barnum's acts to be schemes and not altogether true. During the 1840s Barnum began his museum, which had a constantly rotating acts schedule, which included obese people, 'living skeletons,' little people, giants, and other people deemed to be freaks. One of Barnum's exhibits centered on Charles Sherwood Stratton, the dwarf billed as 'General Tom Thumb' who was then 4 years of age but was stated to be 11. With heavy coaching and natural talent, the boy was taught to imitate people from Hercules to Napoleon. By 5, he was drinking wine, and by 7 smoking cigars for the public's amusement.

Reader's Guide

Freak shows were a significant form of entertainment from the medieval period through the early 20th century, reaching their commercial peak between the 1840s and 1940s. They were commonly seen at amusement parks, circuses, dime museums, and vaudeville. The early amusement park industry flourished in the United States by the expanding middle class who benefited from short work weeks and a larger income. There was also a shift in American culture that influenced people to see leisure activities as a necessary and beneficial equivalent to working, thus leading to the popularity of the freak show. The showmen and promoters exhibited all types of freaks. People who appeared or were non-white or who had a disability were often exhibited as unknown races and cultures. These 'unknown' races and disabled whites were advertised as being undiscovered humans to attract viewers. Freak show culture normalized a specific way of thinking about gender, race, sexual aberrance, ethnicity, and disability. During the first decade of the 20th century, the popularity of the freak show was starting to dwindle. The term 'freak show' has changed in connotation along with the change in attitudes as the public shifted from acceptance of performer exploitation to more concern and desire to understand them. In the 19th century, science supported and legitimized the growth of freak shows, but by the 20th century, the medicalization of human abnormalities contributed to the end of the exhibits' mystery and appeal.

Did You Know?

• Charles Sherwood Stratton, billed as 'General Tom Thumb,' was taught to imitate people from Hercules to Napoleon.
• In the 18th century, Matthias Buchinger, born without arms or lower legs, entertained crowds with magic and musical ability.
• By the 20th century, the medicalization of human abnormalities contributed to the end of the freak shows' mystery and appeal.