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Dippy 125

Dippy 125: Celebrating the discovery of Pittsburgh's oldest icon
Dippy 125

Celebrating 125 Years Since the Discovery of Dippy

Celebrate Dippy, the legendary dinosaur whose discovery 125 years ago sparked popular imagination and inspired the global dino craze that thrives today. Named Diplodocus carnegii to honor Andrew Carnegie’s support for the expedition, Dippy proved too massive to be housed in the original exhibition halls, necessitating the expansion of Carnegie’s museum — sometimes referred to as “the house that Dippy built” by people of the day. Arguably the most visible dinosaur fossil in the world, Dippy’s many plaster replicas have thrilled museumgoers in London, Berlin, Madrid, Vienna, St. Petersburg, Paris, Bologna, La Plata, and Mexico City, while the genuine article has delighted millions here in Pittsburgh.  

Join us this July to fete Dippy with programs for all ages, including a members-only birthday party at the museum for families, a 21+ night, a day of lectures about the discovery of and science behind Pittsburgh’s literal oldest icon, and much more.

There are no upcoming events.

Learn more about Dippy!

Looking for Dippy merch?

Diplodocus shirt
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A History through Photos

Old newspaper clipping
New York Journal article from 1898 titled, “Most Colossal Animal Ever on Earth Just Found Out West.”
Diplodocus carnegii (Dippy) excavation field photo, Sheep Creek, Wyoming, 1899
Diplodocus carnegii (Dippy) excavation field photo, Sheep Creek, Wyoming, 1899
Dippy excavators standing together for a photo at Sheep Creek. 1899
Dippy excavators standing together for a photo at Sheep Creek. 1899
Dippy excavators eat at camp in Sheep Creek. 1899
Dippy excavators eat at camp in Sheep Creek. 1899
Dippy excavators crating fossils for transport to Pittsburgh. 1899
Dippy excavators crating fossils for transport to Pittsburgh. 1899
dinosaur bones being assembled
Construction Apatosaurus louisae next to Diplodocus carnegii in historic Dinosaur Hall, ca. 1915
Dippy on display in historic Dinosaur Hall.
Dippy on display in historic Dinosaur Hall.
A cast replica of Dippy, 1904
A cast replica of Dippy, 1904
Diplodocus carnegii in new position in Dinosaurs In Their Time
Diplodocus carnegii in new position in Dinosaurs In Their Time.
inside of the natural history museum
Diplodocus carnegii face to face with Apatosaurus louisae in Dinosaurs in Their Time. 2007
Torso of the Dippy statue on its way to assembly in front of the museum. 1999
Torso of the Dippy statue on its way to assembly in front of the museum. 1999
Head of the Dippy statue next to Vertebrate Paleontology Curator Dave Berman for scale prior to assembly. 1999
Head of the Dippy statue next to Vertebrate Paleontology Curator Dave Berman for scale prior to assembly. 1999
Attaching Dippy’s tail to the body of the statue. 1999
Attaching Dippy’s tail to the body of the statue. 1999
Fitting Dippys legs onto the torso of the statue. 1999
Fitting Dippy’s legs onto the torso of the statue. 1999
Dippy statue under veil prior to public display. 1999
Dippy statue under veil prior to public display. 1999
Children and adults meet the new Dippy statue up close. 1999
Children and adults meet the new Dippy statue up close. 1999

Blogs about Dippy

  • Dippy in Star Wars?

    Dippy in Star Wars?

  • Memoirs of the Carnegie Museum Volume 1, Number 1

    Memoirs of the Carnegie Museum Volume 1, Number 1

  • Oh Say Can You Dippy: Andrew Carnegie and His Dinosaurs

    Oh Say Can You Dippy: Andrew Carnegie and His Dinosaurs

  • Dippy Casts Abroad

    Dippy Casts Abroad

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