“This curious old print shows the Rattle, the Mill, and the Hobby-horse pretty much as they are today. But the boy blowing bubbles uses a reed instead of a tobacco pipe, while his companions appear to be playing some kind of a game by catching the bubbles on cushions.”
What’s more remarkable, the very idea that childhood was a 19th century invention looks more like, well, an invention.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
The idea of childhood as a playtime for 99% of the world’s population didn’t exist. What your looking at are the richest of the rich – the children of nobles. There was no middle class; there were royalty, and serfs/chattel. This is the 1% of the 1% – hardly an exception to the rule.
Wow Moe, got a little sand in the vag there?
Play has always been a part of childhood. It’s part of the process of learning and can be observed in all species of primates and other mammals. Archeologist frequently unearth toys that show mankind’s children have played since we learned to walk upright.
So take your misplaced anger against those you consider the 1% and go occupy something.
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