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Child's Dress with Interior Seat (Part of Tuttle's Patented Baby Jumper)

c. 1847
George W. Tuttle (American, 1826–1856)
This decorated dress is actually a “machine for exercising children” patented by George Tuttle in 1847. Padded straps under the skirt went between the child’s legs, while the chest buttons attached to straps that went to a spring hanging from above. Tuttle’s “baby jumper” became very popular, since bouncing in one was said to not only amuse children but make them healthy and strong.

Object Details

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