Podcast Summary
Dinosaur Models Destruction: The destruction of life-sized dinosaur models in the 1870s hindered the public's introduction to dinosaurs and serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving history.
In the 1870s, a group of men destroyed a collection of life-sized dinosaur models that were meant for a new museum in New York City. This event, known as the Great Dinosaur Smash Up of 1871, remains a mystery with theories suggesting political motivations or personal vendettas. At the time, dinosaurs were not yet a cultural phenomenon, and the destruction of these models hindered the public's introduction to these prehistoric creatures. This story is a reminder of the importance of preserving history and the impact that single events can have on shaping our understanding of the world.
Dinosaurs in Central Park: British artist Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins ignited public interest in dinosaurs with his lifelike concrete models in Central Park, inspiring the creation of the Paleozoic Museum and shaping the public's fascination with dinosaurs.
Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins, a British artist and sculptor, played a significant role in igniting public interest in dinosaurs through his lifelike concrete models. His sculptures, which still exist today, were instrumental in inspiring the creation of the Paleozoic Museum in New York City's Central Park. Hawkins' arrival in New York at the perfect time, during the planning stages of the museum, led to his commission to create the dinosaur displays. His ambitious plans included not only accurate representations of dinosaurs but also scenes of dinosaur interactions, such as a hadrosaurus being attacked by carnivorous dinosaurs and marine reptiles. Although some of the animals in his vision did not coexist, Hawkins' innovative and grandiose approach to displaying dinosaurs helped fuel the public's fascination with these prehistoric creatures that continues to the present day.
Dinosaur Museum Destruction: Political corruption led to the unexplained destruction of Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins' beautiful dinosaur museum in New York City, resulting in the loss of important historical artifacts
The destruction of Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins' dinosaur models in the Crystal Palace in New York City was a shocking and unexplained event in the history of museums and dinosaur discovery. At the time, Hawkins was creating what would have been the most beautiful dinosaur museum the world had ever seen. However, he was moved from the beautiful arsenal building to a shed, and one day, workmen with sledgehammers destroyed the models, possibly even damaging real fossils in the process. The motives behind this destruction remain unclear, but some blame corrupt politician William Boss Tweed and his group of Democrats who were in power in New York City during the mid-1800s. The loss of these models was a significant blow to Hawkins, who was both incensed by the injustice and devastated by the loss. The incident remains a mystery, but it underscores the importance of preserving historical artifacts and the impact of political corruption on cultural heritage.
Boss Tweed and the Paleozoic Museum: Historian Vicky Alvear Sheckter questioned conventional theories of Boss Tweed's involvement in the Paleozoic Museum's destruction and uncovered intriguing clues in mundane meeting minutes, challenging the accepted narrative.
Boss Tweed, a notoriously shady and powerful New York politician in the 1800s, is suspected of being behind the destruction of a Paleozoic Museum in Central Park. Despite popular theories suggesting his motives were financial or due to bad press, historian Vicky Alvear Sheckter questioned these explanations during her research for her PhD on art and dinosaurs. Delving deeper, she found intriguing clues in the mundane meeting minutes of the Central Park board, which hinted at a more complex story. Unsatisfied with the conventional theories, Vicky's determination to uncover the truth led her to explore alternative explanations, ultimately challenging the accepted narrative of Boss Tweed's involvement in the museum's demise.
Hilton and the dinosaur models destruction: Henry Hilton, the treasurer of the park board, is suspected of destroying Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins' dinosaur models based on meeting minutes and Hawkins' accusation in a newspaper article. Hilton was known for altering statues and whale bones to fit his preferences.
Vicky's investigation led her to believe that Henry Hilton, the treasurer of the board overseeing the park where Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins' dinosaur models were located, was responsible for their destruction in 1871. This theory was based on evidence from the minutes of a meeting where the board decided to remove the old structures, including the temporary workshop housing the dinosaur models, under Hilton's direction. Additionally, Hawkins himself blamed Hilton in a New York Times article. Hilton was known to be a controlling and unappreciative figure towards artifacts, and had a reputation for trying to change the appearance of statues and whale bones to fit his preferences. While there's no direct evidence of a conspiracy between Hilton and the American Museum of Natural History, which was also being established at the time, Vicky's theory gained some intrigue due to the potential competition between the two museums. Despite reaching out to the American Museum of Natural History for comment, no response has been received.
Personal conflicts and reputations: The 'Dino Smash Up' incident in Central Park might have been caused by personal conflicts and a desire to protect reputations, rather than financial motives as previously believed.
The "Dino Smash Up" incident in Central Park could have been the result of a personal conflict between two egocentric figures, Henry Hilton and Edwin Hawkins, rather than a financial motive as previously believed. Vicky, a researcher, suspects that Hawkins' arrogance and desire to protect his reputation may have led to a heated argument with Hilton, potentially triggering the destruction of the dinosaur models. Despite a lack of concrete evidence, Vicky's theory, along with her and a colleague's research, has gained significant attention in the scientific community. Another intriguing mystery remains unsolved: the fate of the smashed dinosaur pieces, with conflicting reports suggesting they were dumped in a lake or used as paving stones. Carl, a dedicated researcher, believes he has located the potential graveyard for these pieces on a hill called The Mount. The story serves as a reminder of the complexities and nuances that can lie beneath seemingly straightforward historical events.
Hidden stories in ordinary places: Ordinary places can hold hidden stories or mysteries, encouraging curiosity and determination to uncover the truth. Community and collaboration are essential in scientific discovery.
Even when something seems ordinary or gone, there might be hidden stories or mysteries waiting to be discovered. This was exemplified in the discussion about the dinosaur smash up of 18/71, where a seemingly ordinary hill held a hidden story of a dinosaur head being stolen. The speakers, being both dreamers and scientists, were determined to uncover the truth and bring justice to the dinosaur's remains. Additionally, the importance of community and collaboration in scientific discovery was emphasized, as the speakers hoped that a "nerd" would eventually come forward with information about the dinosaur crimes. Lastly, the speakers encouraged listeners to contribute to ongoing scientific research by filling out a survey on the last mysteries of sex, which could potentially lead to new discoveries and publications.
New York City challenges: Unexpected twists and challenges are part of daily life in New York City, but the city's energy and diversity make it worth navigating with a sense of humor
New York City can be an unpredictable and sometimes unpleasant experience, even for those who are familiar with it. During a conversation, the speaker jokingly shared an unexpected encounter with a large piece of litter on the way to the office, which they kept as a prank for their colleague's arrival. This anecdote highlights the unique challenges and quirks of living or working in New York City, where even the most mundane tasks can come with unexpected twists. Despite the occasional inconveniences, many people find the city's energy and diversity to be worth the challenges. The speaker's playful welcome served as a reminder that New York City can be both challenging and rewarding, and that a sense of humor can help navigate its ups and downs.