Dippy the diplodocus: Blue whale replacing Natural History Museum’s dinosaur isn’t going down well
It’s the end of a dinosaur era.
London’s Natural History Museum, remembered fondly in thousands of people's childhoods for the towering diplodocus skeleton which greeted them on visits, is retiring the dinosaur after 35 years.
And 150m year-old Dippy's ouster? A much younger 124-year-old blue whale, who's getting promoted to front of house from the mammal gallery,
People are not happy with this move, which the museum said was made to give visitors something new and exciting. Dippy is also just a cast of a fossilised dinosaur, while the as-yet unnamed blue whale is a real specimen.
Why have a replica when you can have the real deal?
Well, he may be fake, but Dippy holds a special place in our hearts.
That's decided then. It's a trip to the @NHM_London for my 35th bday this year. Need to go say goodbye to Dippy.
— Queer Tony π΅πΈπ¨π©πΈπ©πΎπͺ (@tonyvtree) January 29, 2015
https://twitter.com/rugbycupcakes/status/560721874754502656
Dinosaur 'Dippy' is iconic for NHM and they are going to replace it with the blue whale – childhood memories ruined! http://t.co/qjpzRjuqhJ
— Professor Mark Maslin π π (@ProfMarkMaslin) January 29, 2015
WHY are they replacing Dippy with a boring whale? Hanging with him is one of my earliest memories! Nat Hist Museum is TAINTING MY CHILDHOOD
— Phoebe Luckhurst (@phoebeluckhurst) January 29, 2015
https://twitter.com/ibzo/status/560724968225251328
@NHM_London when will dippy be leaving? my daughter cried when she saw the news π
— Hannah #reclaimthestreets (@Brazenvamp) January 29, 2015
Sad that Dippy is making space for a blue whale at the NHM!
— Kaylene Oliveira (@KayleneWSmith) January 29, 2015
https://twitter.com/alottatweetz/status/560726066227318784
Dippy the Dinosaur in the @NHM_London is being replaced with the bones of a blue whale! Sad news for #dinosaur fans everywhere π
— Becca-Jane (@VelcroShoes) January 29, 2015
He is one of the most memorable things in the museum, bad move replacing him! #dippy #Naturalhistorymuseum
— Sophie Day (@sophied221) January 29, 2015
Awww, sadness that Dippy is leaving the Great Hall at the Natural History Museum. He's been my favourite for 20yrs!https://t.co/Y3l32Eb6oi
— β«οΈ dear catastrophe nina (@notwaving) January 29, 2015
@bergy_bit Ditto! Shallow I know – but I wd not hv gone but for Dippy. Endless fascination for dinosaurs. We shd start Save Dippy campaign!
— RAIL magazine (@RAIL) January 29, 2015
https://twitter.com/filmgirllondon/status/560724111362908161
For me personally Dippy is a landmark for London. It will take a while for me to get used to a London without it @NHM_London. Progress…
— Ernesto Priego π· (@ernestopriego) January 29, 2015
As impressive as a Blue Whale skelton may be, Dippy is an icon. Who doesn't enjoy a good dinosaur? Dinosaurs are awesome! #savedippy
— Lisa (@LisaAfterDeath) January 29, 2015
Anyone wanting to relive that childhood nostalgia has plenty of time. The logistical nightmare of switching the exhibits means the 25 metre-long whale won't be hanging above the entrance until 2017.
What next for the retired dinosaur? No sitting around watching daytime TV for Dippy. He could be going on tour around the country to regional museums.