Imagine a New Year's Eve like no other, where 21 men embarked on a unique dining experience inside a dinosaur!
A Night to Remember: Dining with Dinosaurs
In December 1853, 20 men received an extraordinary invitation from Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins, a renowned natural history artist. The location? The 'mould of the Iguanodon' at the Crystal Palace. A gathering of distinguished guests, including Richard Owen, the inventor of the word 'dinosaur', and other notable scientists, was about to make history.
Hawkins had a grand vision: to bring the 'dry bones' of the British Museum to life and introduce the world to the fascinating field of palaeontology. By creating life-size dinosaur sculptures, he aimed to make these ancient creatures as familiar as any other beast.
But here's where it gets controversial... Hawkins also had a knack for publicity stunts. Among the invitees was Herbert Ingram, publisher of the widely circulated Illustrated London News, ensuring the event would reach a massive audience.
Despite the freezing conditions, the men arrived at a warehouse, where they were greeted by Hawkins' incredible sculptures. The iguanodon, the largest model, served as their dining hall, with a giant tent above to shield them from the cold.
Banners adorned the space, honoring famous palaeontologists like Georges Cuvier and Gideon Mantell. However, these names also sparked gossip, as Mantell had recently passed away from an opium overdose, and Buckland, despite his wealth, was showing signs of what we now recognize as dementia.
Richard Owen, seated inside the iguanodon's head, proposed toasts as the night progressed. Then, Edward Forbes, a naturalist, stood up and recited a lengthy poem, causing the men to become 'fierce and enthusiastic', almost as if a herd of iguanodons were bellowing.
The menu, a seven-course feast, included soups, fish, roast turkey, game, and an array of sweets and wines. The London Illustrated News described the dinner as 'luxurious and elegantly served', and the models as 'trustworthy lessons' in a field of science that was still emerging.
And this is the part most people miss... the humorous magazine Punch ended its report with a witty comment, suggesting that the men were fortunate to be living in a modern era, as in an early geological period, they might have had a very different dining experience inside the iguanodon!
Hawkins' publicity stunt was a success. The event made headlines in The Times, Punch, and Ingram's newspaper, and even caught the attention of Charles Dickens' The Daily News. Six months later, over 40,000 people attended the opening of the Crystal Palace, where they marveled at Hawkins' creations.
Today, these sculptures are Grade I listed, and plans are underway for their renovation. While no men-only dinner parties are scheduled for this New Year, the legacy of this unique gathering lives on, reminding us of the power of combining science, art, and a touch of humor.
So, what do you think? Is this a brilliant celebration of science or a bizarre publicity stunt? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
