The Amazing Walking Baby

Back in 1948, Norman Robert Kolreg of Lewiston, Maine, became famous when he was able to walk upright (with some help from his mother) at the tender age of 5 days. Soon Mrs. Kolreg began exhibiting him to any curiosity seeker who showed up at her door. She even took out an ad in the paper, listing his scheduled performances. She didn't charge an admission fee, but she did accept donations. Which led to criminal charges being brought against her, alleging that being exhibited was injurious to the child's "life, limb and health." The charges were dropped, but only after she agreed to stop making him perform. [The Day - Apr 2, 1948]

Reportedly, little Norman kept on walking — soon without any help from Mom. I have no idea what become of him later in life.

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Alex Boese Alex is the creator and curator of the Museum of Hoaxes. He's also the author of various weird, non-fiction, science-themed books such as Elephants on Acid and Psychedelic Apes. Paul Di Filippo Paul has been paid to put weird ideas into fictional form for over forty years, in his career as a noted science fiction writer. Contact Us

Posted By: Alex - Tue May 07, 2013
Category: Babies | 1940s

Comments

Fame is easier to walk out of than to walk in.

Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 05/07/13 at 10:08 AM

Perhaps he became a shoe tester?

Posted by KDP on 05/07/13 at 10:31 AM

At 5 days, that is pretty amazing. I'm thinking he became a long distance runner perhaps.

Posted by Patty in Ohio, USA on 05/07/13 at 08:17 PM

Sadly, he died young (in 1992, according to Find- A-Grave). His mother and Mr. Kolreg divorced, and she remarried a Mr. Bussiere in 1950; he was identified in his mother's obituary as Robert N. Bussiere, so he was presumably adopted.

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=71193048

Posted by JMS on 05/08/13 at 08:40 AM

Hi im just writing to say that Norman was my Uncle (fathers Brother) We knew him as Uncle Bob. He has a Son and a Daughter both Adults. He was a professional truck driver until his Death in 1992. I myself only found out this year upon my Gramdmas death about Uncle Bobs early fame.

Posted by Georges bussiere on 06/24/13 at 02:26 PM

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