Why are some things cute, and others not? And how did cuteness go global, from manga cartoons to Disney characters? These are questions explored by Joshua Paul Dale, a Professor in the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures at Tokyo Gakugei University. He’s a pioneer in the field of cuteness studies, and his new book looks at how the cute aesthetic spread around the globe, from Lolita fashion and emojis to the unstoppable rise of Hello Kitty.

In Episode 4, Joshua explores the cult of Shirley Temple – and reveals the troubling connection between concepts of “cuteness” and racist attitudes in the past. He begins with a history of baby shows.

PT Barnum, the legendary showman who founded the famous Barnum’s circus, was a major influence on American popular culture in the 19th century. In the 1850s, while organising flower, dog and poultry shows, he was struck by the thought that the public would flock to a competition that judged babies. Barnum’s first baby show, held in 1855, attracted more than 60,000 spectators, who each paid 25 cents to view the 143 contestants. Women comprised three-quarters of the guests. In Europe, baby shows were seen as distinctly American and slightly vulgar - but they drew in the crowds nonetheless.

Reader: Adam Sims
Abridged and produced by Elizabeth Burke
A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4 Show less