DeepSummary
The episode discusses a planned dinosaur museum in New York City in the 1870s that never came to fruition due to its models being smashed by vandals. It details the work of artist Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins, who was commissioned to create life-size dinosaur models for the museum, and the circumstances surrounding the destruction of his creations.
For decades, the blame was placed on the corrupt politician William 'Boss' Tweed, but historian Vicky Coules uncovered evidence pointing to Henry Hilton, the treasurer of the Central Park board, as the likely culprit. Hilton was known for his eccentricities and lack of respect for artifacts, and he may have clashed with the equally arrogant Hawkins.
The episode explores the mystery of what happened to the smashed dinosaur pieces, with some reports suggesting they were buried in Central Park or even used to pave its paths. Ultimately, the motivation behind the destruction remains speculative, but Coules believes it was likely a personal conflict between Hilton and Hawkins.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- In the 1870s, artist Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins was commissioned to create life-size dinosaur models for a planned 'Paleozoic Museum' in New York City's Central Park.
- Before the museum could open, the models were mysteriously smashed and destroyed by vandals.
- For decades, the corrupt politician 'Boss' Tweed was blamed, but historian Vicky Coules uncovered evidence implicating Central Park treasurer Henry Hilton as the likely culprit.
- Coules theorizes that the destruction was motivated by a personal conflict between the arrogant Hilton and the equally arrogant Hawkins.
- The fate of the smashed dinosaur pieces remains a mystery, with reports suggesting they were buried in Central Park or used to pave its paths.
- The episode highlights the enduring fascination with the 'Great Dinosaur Smash-up' and the ongoing efforts to unravel its remaining mysteries.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “I actually think it was personal. I think that we saw Hilton was a strange character, incredibly arrogant, thought he knew best. But we also know now that Hawkins himself, he could also be incredibly arrogant. Incredibly arrogant. If Hilton had tried to criticize Hawkins work, Hawkins was going to be having absolutely none of it. And so it seemed to me that that's where the real root of this happened.“ by Vicky Cools
- “I would love to see a piece of one of the models. I would love to see that.“ by Carl Mehling
- “What if we wait here long enough some nerd's gonna tell us what happened here.“ by Carl Mehling
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Episode Information
Science Vs
Spotify Studios
5/30/24