The Cardiff Giant, a ten-foot-long gypsum figure known as “America’s GreatestHoax,” has been on exhibit since the 1940s at The Farmers’ Museum. The Cardiff Giant exhibit traces the story of this “petrified man,” which was the centerpiece of a moneymaking scheme by a businessman from Binghamton, New York. The Cardiff Giant was created and displayed in the 19th century, and public reaction to it reflected the scientific and religious beliefs of the time.
Cool story. Reminds me of price bubbles and mass hysteria. Things people do in crowds can be really interesting. An individual might not do something on their own but will do that same thing if buoyed by a crowd. Might one person have been more skeptical if they weren’t convinced by the crowd?
Interesting story but let’s not forget this is the same mob that thought Donald Trump was a suitable person to be President so one has to be forgiving.
