Insane Things That Used to Be Legal

introduction

Laws are designed to maintain order and protect citizens from harm. However, many laws that seem outrageous or dangerous today were once perfectly legal. This article explores some of the most insane practices and products that were once lawful in society, revealing a stark contrast to today's standards of safety and decency.

1. Mailing Children

In 1913, the U.S. Postal Service introduced parcel post, a service that allowed Americans to send packages—including their children—through the mail. Parents took advantage of this loophole, with the most infamous case being May Pierstorff, a five-year-old girl who was mailed across 73 miles to her grandparents. Thankfully, this practice didn’t last long, and by 1914, postal officials banned mailing humans entirely.

2. Baby Farming

During the Victorian era in Britain, "baby farming" was a disturbing reality where parents would pay caregivers to take care of their infants. However, many caregivers took in more children than they could manage, resulting in tragic outcomes for many babies. The Infant Life Protection Act of 1872 was eventually established to regulate childcare arrangements and protect vulnerable children.

3. Radioactive Toys

In the 1950s, the Gilbert U238 Atomic Energy Lab was marketed to children, allowing them to play with real uranium samples. This dangerous toy was a part of a broader trend where safety concerns were largely ignored. It wasn’t until 1966 when significant safety regulations were enacted, prohibiting hazardous substances in children's toys.

4. Dangerous Medicines

In the 1920s, a product called "Rator," containing radioactive materials, was marketed as a cure-all. It claimed to treat ailments like impotence and fatigue. Tragically, long-term use led to severe health complications, including disintegration of the jaw bone due to radium exposure. In 1938, laws were put in place to regulate the medical field and ensure products like Rator could not be sold.

5. Texting While Driving

Surprisingly, texting while driving was not criminalized at the state level until 2007, despite cell phones being invented in the 1980s. A significant delay meant that drivers could legally text while operating a vehicle for over 15 years, raising serious concerns about road safety.

6. Drunk Driving

Drunk driving laws didn’t come into effect until 1910 in New York, nearly two decades after cars began to dominate the roads. Moreover, initial laws did not clearly define intoxication, allowing for a subjective interpretation by law enforcement. Breathalyzers were not common until the 1950s, delaying accountability for impaired drivers.

7. Smoking on Airplanes

Airlines permitted smoking on flights until the late 1980s, despite numerous health warnings and documented issues related to secondhand smoke. The first smoking ban on U.S. flights was established for journeys shorter than two hours in 1988, extended to longer flights in 1990. It wasn't until 2000 that smoking was banned completely on all flights.

8. Gun Ownership on Flights

Before laws were established to restrict weapons on airplanes, it was once legal for passengers to carry firearms aboard flights. This led to several hijackings and tragic incidents, culminating in the 1974 Air Transportation Security Act, which mandated thorough screening for weapons at airports.

9. Access to Dynamite

In the mid-20th century, individuals could easily purchase dynamite at local hardware stores, with no restrictions on age. This regulation gap led to increased violence and dangerous activities. Eventually, the Organized Crime Control Act of 1970 was enacted, establishing strict controls on explosives.

10. Legal Narcotics

Before their prohibition, narcotics like methamphetamine were legally available in stores for treating ailments. Widely sold until the 1970s, they were initially marketed for their energizing effects before their addictive and harmful properties were recognized.

11. Immigration Laws

In the early years of U.S. history, immigration was largely unregulated. However, the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 marked a turning point, establishing the first significant restrictions on immigration and leading to numerous laws that increasingly limited entry into the country.

12. Polygamy

Polygamy was legally practiced in the U.S. during the 19th century, particularly within certain religious communities. The practice was criminalized with the passage of the Edmunds Act in 1882, which outlawed multiple marriages and promoted gender equality in marriage laws.

13. Sibling Marriages

While today sibling marriages are widely considered taboo and illegal, there have been periods in history, such as ancient Egypt, where such unions were not uncommon. Modern laws against incest vary, with some countries still allowing cousin marriages and similar unions under certain conditions.

14. Trial by Combat

Although historical, trial by combat was once a legitimate method for resolving disputes, including marital disagreements. This barbaric practice was put to rest in the 1200s but wasn’t officially outlawed in the UK until 1817, reflecting society's evolving views on justice and morality.

Conclusion

The exploration of these outdated laws and practices highlights the progress societies have made in prioritizing safety, health, and equality. While many of these historical liberties seem shocking today, they serve as a reminder of how far we’ve come in establishing a more civilized and just society.