May 28, 1934: Five of a Kind

Before there were reality stars, there was Quintland - and the business model was the same, except the subjects were four years old and had no idea they were on display.On May 28, 1934, five identical girls were born in a farmhouse outside Corbeil, Ontario, becoming the first identical quintuplets in recorded history to survive infancy. Within weeks, the Ontario government had stripped their parents of legal custody, built a purpose-built observation facility on the family's own land, and opened it to the public. At its peak, Quintland drew six thousand visitors a day and generated an estimated $51 million for the Ontario economy - outpacing Niagara Falls as the province's top tourist destination. The Dionne parents received almost none of it.From bsnsHistory, the daily podcast about the moments when business quietly reshaped the world.Written and hosted by Ron Trucks. Research and editing by Rodney Russ. Sound design by Angela Cahoy. Music by Cody Martin and Soundstripe.For more daily business stories, visit www.bsnsDAILYpodcasts.com