DeepSummary
The episode details the intense rivalry between 19th century American paleontologists Othniel Charles Marsh and Edward Drinker Cope, known as the 'Bone Wars' or 'Dinosaur Wars.' Despite an initial friendship, the two became bitter rivals, sabotaging each other's work, stealing fossils, and engaging in unethical practices to claim credit for new dinosaur discoveries.
Marsh, with his connections at Yale and political influence, had an advantage over Cope. However, Cope fought back by leaking information and working deals with fossil hunters. Their feud escalated to involving the press, making accusations of scientific misconduct, and attempts to destroy each other's reputations and careers.
While their rivalry was petty and detrimental, it also led to major paleontological discoveries that shaped the field, including identifying key dinosaur species like Triceratops, Brontosaurus, and Allosaurus. However, their rushed work created lasting issues for future paleontologists trying to correct misclassifications and errors.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- The intense rivalry between 19th century paleontologists Othniel Charles Marsh and Edward Drinker Cope, known as the 'Bone Wars,' resulted in unethical practices like sabotage and theft but also major dinosaur discoveries.
- Their feud was fueled by personal egos, jealousy over funding and credit, and a race to be the first to name newly discovered dinosaur species by publishing quickly, often making mistakes in the process.
- Marsh leveraged his connections at Yale and political influence to secure advantages over Cope, like being named the US Chief Paleontologist, allowing access to federal funding and fossils.
- Cope fought back by leaking information to undermine Marsh and cutting deals with fossil hunters to acquire bone samples ahead of his rival.
- While unbecoming of scientists, their bitter competition advanced paleontology by driving major new dinosaur discoveries that defined the public understanding of these prehistoric creatures.
- However, their rushed sloppiness created enduring issues for future paleontologists tasked with correcting their misidentifications, errors and overall mess left behind.
- The feuding men's extensive fossil collections bequeathed to institutions like the Smithsonian became invaluable public resources despite the unethical rivalry surrounding their origins.
- The lasting legacy and fame of the 'Bone Wars' eclipsed the two men's individual scientific contributions to their field.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “Most of the most exciting new discoveries were coming from there. And so many of the dinosaurs now that are most famous, Allosaurus, Stegosaurus, Brontosaurus, those types of dinosaurs were discovered during the time of the bone wars.“ by Steve Brissott
- “The ghosts of that still linger today.“ by Steve Brissott
- “The real winner is the Smithsonian Institution, with their collection at the Museum of Natural History and the Peabody Museum and the dozens of other museums that continue to excite and amaze millions of people around the globe.“ by Richard Todd
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Episode Information
BEEF with Bridget Todd
Next Chapter Podcasts, Bridget Todd
3/13/24
This week on Beef, the natural historians who started the Great Bone Wars refuse to bury the hatchet, wreaking havoc on the future of their field.
Grab a copy of Dr. Steve Brusatte's latest book "The Rise and Fall of Mammals: A New History, from the Shadow of the Dinosaurs to Us."
Look for Dr. Matthew Carrano's contribution to "The Complete Dinosaur."
Hosted by Bridget Todd
Written by Nicole Walkow-Benedi
Showrunning, Editing & Sound Design by Pete Musto
Produced by James "Sam" Levine & Benjamin Austin-Docampo
Created by Executive Producer Jeremiah Tittle
Find out more about all of Next Chapter Podcasts' incredible content at ncpodcasts.com!
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