American History Tellers
History Daily: The Unearthing of the Cardiff Giant
Oct 16, 2023
A trickster sparks public fascination with the 'Cardiff Giant', a fake petrified giant. PT Barnum's pursuit and a legal battle reveal both giants are fake. The aftermath includes Barnum's continued profit and a new scam in the Badlands. George's attempts to replicate his success with a solid maldoom fail to capture the nation's imagination.
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Quick takeaways
- The discovery of the Cardiff Giant exposed religious gullibility and demonstrated the power of spectacle and public fascination.
- Despite being aware of its falseness, Barnum's replica of the Cardiff Giant still attracted a large audience, highlighting the public's continued curiosity and interest.
Deep dives
The Cardiff Giant Hoax
In October 1869, a petrified giant figure was discovered on a farm in Cardiff, NY. It was hailed as proof of the Bible's literal truth, but was soon exposed as a clever fake. The plot was masterminded by George Hull, who wanted to expose religious gullibility. The statue was buried and later discovered, leading to a frenzy of public interest and financial gain. PT Barnum attempted to capitalize on the hoax with a replica of his own, leading to legal battles and public fascination.
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