Irish International Exhibition of 1907

The Irish International Exposition of 1907, sometimes referred to as Dublin International, was held from May 4 to November 1907 in an area of Dublin now known as Herbert Park, near the current location of the American Embassy. It received an astonishing 2.75 million visitors.

As was typical for worlds’ fairs of the era, there were international pavilions from countries such as Canada, France, and New Zealand, art and industrial displays, a midway with various amusements and sideshow attractions, and a “human zoo” – in this case depicting life in British Somaliland, with natives imported for the occasion. The exposition was politically charged in Ireland, occurring in the context of an increasing level of cultural awareness in Ireland, along with a movement to “de-Anglicize,” restore use of the Gaelic language, and a perception that the exhibition was more focused on the promotion of foreign and manufactured goods than local artisan products, art, music, and literature.

One of the sideshows was a Baby Incubator Institute, managed by Moritz Ehrlich of Vienna,* who exhibited at multiple regional and international’ fairs and expositions during the early 1800s. I have not been able to find any pictures of the incubator exhibit as yet, but there are several descriptions in contemporary newspapers. According to the Dubin Evening Herald (August 26, 1907), the Baby Incubator Institute was located between the Somali Village and the Helter-Skelter Lighthouse. Interestingly, it is not listed in the Official Catalog or the Program, so it may have been a late addition to the Exhibition.

Among the many items classed under the side shows none attracts more attention than the Baby Incubator Institute, which is being conducted under the direction of M. Ehrlich. Externally the building is interesting and attractive, and internally it excites wonder and a good deal of admiration. The object of the baby incubator is to preserve the lives of prematurely born and weakly infants, and on purely scientific lines this has been found to be perfectly possible and in most cases successful.

There are several infants of varied sizes in the institute, and each is allotted a neat square metal box placed about three feet from the floor and fitted with heat and air providing apparatus. The temperature and air supply are regulated to a nicety, and the little ones in the “nests” are constantly under the care of skilled nurses. There are two glass sides to each incubator, to allow sufficient light to the inmate and also free observation by the nurses, and among the fittings is an automatic temperature regulator. The babies are fed on an average every two hours, and according to their size and strength the method is arranged.

— The Irish Independent, Friday, September 6, 1907

BABY INCUBATORS AT THE EXHIBITION.
One of the most interesting and remarkable “side shows” at the Exhibition is the building devoted to a display of baby incubators. It has been visited by many thousands, and the condition of the poor little mites who are now undergoing treatment in it is a convincing testimony to the successful scientific methods adopted by M. Ehrlich for the preservation of the lives of promaturely-born weakly infants. Five or six out of the nine glass covered little cots are at present occupied, and the results obtained so far are highly satisfactory: Twins admitted on the 8th Angust weighing 3 lbs 7 ozs and 2 lbs 16 ozs. have gained considerably in weight, and are now 4 lbs. 5 1/2 ozs, and 3 ibs. 9 1/2 ozs. respectively.

One infant admitted when seven weeks old at 3 lbs. 1 1/2 ozs had bean given up by the doctors, but after four weeks’ treatment gained 1 lb 5 ozs. and is still improving. The triplets born in Dublin on 2nd September are the most interesting patients in the premises They now weigh 4 lbs. 8 ozs., 4 lbs. 6 ozs., and 5 lbs. respectively. One child, which gained nearly a pound after a fortnight’s treatment, made such satisfactory progress that it has been restored to the mother. The interior of the premises in exceptionally bright and, of course, scrupulously clean, and this latest scientific marvel is well worth seeing. Ehrlich, who has patented the incubators, has already been awarded the Grand Prix and diplomas of honour and gold medals at various exhibitions, including those at Paris, Berlin, Bucharest, Vienna, Athens, London, Glasgow, Manchester, Bradford, and Cork. Arrangements are being made for an inspection by the medical profession of Dublin in the course of a week or two.

— The Irish Times, Friday, September 6, 1907.

* Moritz Ehrlich, referred to in most news accounts as M. Ehrlich is a somewhat mysterious figure. I have not been able to find much information about him other than his origin in Vienna. He used Lion incubators, and his exhibits usually were named “Baby Incubator Institute.” He is known to have exhibited at Glasgow in 1903-1904, Bradford in 1904, Liege in 1905, Budapest in 1906, Dublin in 1907, Edinburgh in 1908, and Brussels in 1935.

• Irish International Exhibition of 1907, Wikipedia
• Villanova University Falvey Library – postcards and catalog
• Exhibition Souvenir (Hely’s)

Last Updated on 04/14/26