Finland gives every new parent a cardboard crib

In the late 1930s, Finland faced a crisis where nearly 20 percent of children died before their fifth birthday. To combat poverty and disease, the government began distributing a maternity package to low-income families. This cardboard box contained clean clothes, soap, and towels, providing a sterile alternative to the old rags many families used for swaddling. Crucially, the box was designed with dimensions that allowed it to double as a safe, sturdy crib.