They were designed in a more innocent age and with the best of
intentions. These incredible pictures taken in the 1930s show
babies suspended high up in flats from their parents’ window.
Sitting in open mesh cages, the youngsters were completely
exposed to the elements outside. Incredibly, the then East
Poplar borough council in London proposed to fix the cages to
the outside of some of their buildings so that babies could
benefit from fresh air and sunshine. The cages were also
distributed to members of the Chelsea Baby Club who lived in
high buildings and had no gardens. The benefits were said to be
fresh air for the child, room to play with toys and another
place for children to sleep. The cages were also designed with a
slanted, overlapping roof which was said to protect babies from
snow or rain. (Source: Daily Mail)