162: The Bone Wars: Paleontology’s Greatest Rivalry
In this episode of Hometown History, we dive into one of the most intense scientific rivalries of the 19th century—the infamous "Bone Wars." Othniel Charles Marsh and Edward Drinker Cope, two leading paleontologists, began as colleagues but quickly turned into bitter enemies. What started as a competitive pursuit for fossil discoveries spiraled into sabotage, betrayal, and public scandals. Their relentless feud led to the discovery of over 130 new species of dinosaurs, but at the cost of their careers and reputations. Join us as we explore how personal ambition fueled remarkable advancements in paleontology while leaving a legacy of rivalry that still fascinates history lovers today.Visit me online at itshometownhistory.comContact me at Shane@itshometownhistory.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Episode Details
About This Episode
In this episode of Hometown History, we dive into one of the most intense scientific rivalries of the 19th century—the infamous "Bone Wars." Othniel Charles Marsh and Edward Drinker Cope, two leading paleontologists, began as colleagues but quickly turned into bitter enemies. What started as a competitive pursuit for fossil discoveries spiraled into sabotage, betrayal, and public scandals. Their relentless feud led to the discovery of over 130 new species of dinosaurs, but at the cost of their c...