Chicago Brachiosaurus replicas

Lore & Background

The original replica was unveiled at O'Hare International Airport in 1999, not at the Field Museum. It includes casts of the dinosaur and life-sized model bones based on the closely related Giraffatitan from Tanzania. The 72-foot-tall skeleton was installed in the United Airlines Terminal at O'Hare's Terminal 1 (Concourse B), where it remains outside the Field Museum's store. In 2019, United Airlines outfitted the replica with a Chicago Bears jersey.

The all-weather cast was also created and installed in 1999, but it was placed at O'Hare Airport, not on the museum terrace. The museum's outdoor replica was a different cast installed later. Referred to as 'Brachiosaurus Replica' by the City of Chicago and the Field Museum, it became iconic for wearing jerseys of various Chicago teams during sports seasons. It was outfitted with Chicago Blackhawks clothing in 2009, 2010, and 2014, a Chicago Bears jersey in 2017, and a Chicago Cubs jersey in 2018. In 2022, the O'Hare replica was removed, not the all-weather cast; the museum's outdoor replica had been removed earlier. The steel used to hold pieces together was slated for recycling.

Reader's Guide

The Chicago Brachiosaurus replicas represent a unique intersection of paleontology and public culture. The original replica, relocated to O'Hare International Airport in 1997, has been noted by publications such as Smithsonian magazine and Travel + Leisure as a notable airport amenity. The all-weather cast, displayed outside the Field Museum from 1999 until its disassembly in 2022, became a local landmark for its seasonal sports-themed clothing, including jerseys for the Chicago Bears, Blackhawks, and Cubs. Both replicas derive from a Brachiosaurus discovered by Elmer S. Riggs, and their public presence in Chicago has made them recognizable symbols of the city's sports enthusiasm and natural history. The disassembly of the all-weather cast in 2022 due to structural damage marked the end of an era for that particular replica, while the original continues to greet travelers at O'Hare.

Did You Know?

• The original replica was unveiled at O'Hare International Airport in 1999, not at the Field Museum.
• The O'Hare replica was removed in 2022 after an inspection revealed severe damage; the museum's outdoor replica was removed earlier.
• Both replicas have been outfitted with clothing representing Chicago sports teams, including the Bears, Blackhawks, and Cubs.
• The O'Hare replica is managed by the Field Museum and the City of Chicago, not the Chicago Park District.