Somewhat sad news that the plaster-of-Paris model dinosaur skeleton in the foyer of the Natural History Museum in Kensington is to be dismantled and replaced by the skeleton of a young Blue whale (https://www.theguardian.com/science/2017/jan/01/dippy-diplodocus-london-tour-replica-dinosaur-whale-natural-history-museum). 'Dippy' the Diplodocus has been in place more than 100 years after being produced as an exact replica of a fossil found in the USA by workers constructing the rail system. It has been a source of wonder to generations of kids (I saw it on my first visit to London) and was a striking 'welcome' to the museum. The replica is apparently going on a UK tour, starting in Dorset's Jurassic coast but no permanent home for the fragile beast has been identified. Its replacement by the Blue whale skeleton is said to reflect changing fashions in conservation but, perhaps, the fact that the whale can be suspended creating more floor space is a consideration? I suppose the Blue whale skeleton has the advantages of being a) real, b) extant and c) actually the largest animal on the planet but I will miss old 'dippy'.
No comments:
Post a Comment