International Dinosaur Discoveries

Early Dinosaur History Outside the United States

Where were the first life-sized dinosaur models publicly displayed?

The first life-sized dinosaur models were publicly displayed at Sydenham Park, site of the relocated Crystal Palace in southeast London, England. The year was 1854, and Sir Richard Owen supervised the sculpting of these figures by Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins (1807–1889). The figures were placed in the park, later renamed the Crystal Palace Park; the dinosaurs were all portrayed as giant elephantine lizards. These figures were enormously popular with the public. Although the Crystal Palace itself burned, the sculptured dinosaurs survived the fire and can still be viewed on the grounds.



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