Yeah, so I bought the book the Buckminster Fuller Master Index credits Bucky's crib design to: the all-new 1946 edition of Louise Zabriskie's parenting handbook, Mother & Baby Care in Pictures.
Sure enough, there's the Kiddie Koop in all its mesh box glory. NO frickin' idea where Fuller fits into the picture, though; he's not mentioned once. And neither is his planet-changing vision or design sense; this thing looks strictly off-the-40's-shelf.
So while we wait for the keepers of Fuller's archive at Stanford to get back to us, I'll post an interesting scan or invaluable snippet of dadvice from Mrs. Zabriskie.
Previously: Did Buckminster Fuller Really Design A Crib Called The Kiddie Koop?
This looks amazingly similar to a crib that white settlers used in the Australian Outback to keep all the insects and snakes away from the baby. I saw an example of this in the National Pioneer Women's Hall of Fame in Alice Springs. Not sure of the dates of when it was used then - maybe a case of people with similar needs coming up with similar solutions. Thought it was worth mentioning.
[insert dingo joke here -ed.]
An old aquantence of mine had one of these in her garage. She gave it to me as curiosity thing. I got lucky and found part of and old sticker in it other wise I would of had no idea what it was. would like more information on date and value of such a thing.
I was born in ‘54 the oldest of 4 children, and we all slept in this thing as babies.I have never seen one before or since until seeing it here.
where could i bye OR FIND a kiddie koop ? thank you! i born in 55, my mother in 33 and both had that bed time we were babies!
i have one i would willing to sale
do you still have the kiddie koop?
I just happen to have one of these safe and fun child containment devices I would be willing to part with for the mere pittance of $300. It is complete with the spring bottom, (so little tykes can bounce their heads off of the cage top) the cage top in all of its finger smashing offset hinged glory, fairly decent non-peeling lead based paint (tastes better ya know) and small wheels (I know the "big wheel" version is much more exciting when you think of the fun you could have with it on a steep driveway or sidewalk leading to a busy street) Contact Scott @ SerpentHunter@aol.com
If you are still looking for on of these kiddie koops you can have mine. its just the bed with no springs or mat. but i was told that there was a board that went inside that hinged in the middle. anyway you can have mine for $50.00. all have to do is bring it down from the cabin. feel free to contact me on it. oh ya you would have to pick it up in redford, mi or harrison, mi.
If you are still looking for on of these kiddie koops you can have mine. its just the bed with no springs or mat. but i was told that there was a board that went inside that hinged in the middle. anyway you can have mine for $50.00. all have to do is bring it down from the cabin. feel free to contact me on it. oh ya you would have to pick it up in redford, mi or harrison, mi. hartautoservice@yahoo.com
i have a 40's kiddie koop for sale, my grandmother used it for all of her children, then my mom used if for my sister and i, and i used it for all of my kids. contact me if interested
i DO have the original board and mattress, which is a plus since standard crib mattresses do not fit. You would have to have one specially made to fit if its missing
I have a crib that is looks like the Kiddie Koop...it is in great shape. I used it for all my grandchildren and they loved it. I have no further need for it. Unlike the others mentioned, the screen is in great shape, it is complete with springs and two pads. $300 will buy it. I also saw one like it in Australia where it was called an English Porch Crib. It was reported to have been brought from England in the late 1800's. Don't know the origin of mine.
Brad Gooch, author of FLANNERY; A LIFE OF FLANNERY O'CONNOR, 2009, describes the crib by name as part of the O'Connors' furnishings in Savannah for Mary Flannery, born in 1925. Gooch states that it protected a child "from the pesky flies and mosquitoes of coastal Georgia" and that it was a common nursery furnishing after 1920, especially in the South. Its convenience for toddlers as a play pen is also noted, as it could be rolled outdoors in suitable weather.
Thanks for the update, I hadn't thought to search for it in bios of the time. But I've been meaning to read Gooch's book, so into the queue it goes.