Skookum Cast Options

[flightmedic]

We have spent an exhaustive amount of time on Patty's film footage and there are threads on the Skookum Cast which for alot of new folk on this forum may not know that it exists. So this short exerpt from John Green does in my opinion demand some critical thinking and open challenge from the science community......I've placed the url below and on the bottom of that page, is a very interesting read on the cast etc........so if one is new here and looking for recent solid evidence of the Big Guy/Girl in our North American back yard this is a great place to start...........enjoy!
http://www.bfro.net/NEWS/BODYCAST/green_statement.asp

[sierramadre]

I have read that article before...compelling. The Skookum cast, in my opinion (we all know about those) is probably on of the best pieces of BF evidence next to the P/G film.

[Highlander]

Very interesting Flightmedic. Thanks.

Where is the Skookum cast now? And why don't we hear more about it?

[flightmedic]

Very interesting Flightmedic. Thanks.

Where is the Skookum cast now? And why don't we hear more about it?

Not sure..........but I understand it is a rather large cast and if owned it I certainly would give it a second thought prior to moving or displaying it publically.

[Desertyeti]

The cast could be duplicated very easily in lightweight fibreglass. Much larger dinosaur tracks and even entire 3-d skulls have been duplicated in this manner. I hope someone is planning on doing this so copies can be available to the researchers out there who are curious to stare at the thing in their own place.
Hint...hint...

[flightmedic]

Now thats a good idea!........thats Desert.

[LowRider]

Has anybody heard if they did a reverse cast of it????

[Desertyeti]

You mean a mold?
If they did, that would be useful since we could then manufacure duplicate casts.

[LowRider]

Yeah, a mold.
It would just seem easier to study the cast looking at it the way it looked in nature.

[nightwing]

Very interesting Flightmedic. Thanks.

Where is the Skookum cast now? And why don't we hear more about it?

The cast is in the possesion and under the good care of Rick Knoll, a regular poster here.

[Desertyeti]

Cool, maybe he could give a hint as to when duplicates might be available for individuals or institutions to buy/trade for?
Christmas is just around the corner...

[belleoftheball]

Good, I want one for my wall.

[clownboy]

Awhile back I read that Rick had taken the cast and wouldn't let anyone else see it(or maybe just the BFRO). Since I thought that it didn't sound right I discarded the thought and moved on. I just wanted to hear Rick's comments if there was any dispute over the cast or is it just a load of crap like it sounded. Then again something minor might have been blown way out of proportion and since I'm sure the cast is in good hands , I'm really not worried just curious.

[Desertyeti]

Then again something minor might have been blown way out of proportion

NO Way! What?! Here?! Get out!!!!

[clownboy]

Too funny

[Denlevi]

The problem with trying to make a mold is it is very large and heavy, hence very risky to do without breaking it. Lets say you decided you were going to try and copy it, Once you have an appropriate bedding material to place it in then you have to apply just enough force from above to press it in and produce the proper imprint. Also a huge no no and likely to crack it. I doubt silicone rubber would come off the material cleanly, without taking things with it it shouldnt have since its such a large uneven area. Unless someone knew of a good proven way to accomplish this without risking the integrity of the casting I wouldnt want it messed with either.

[colobus]

As mentioned in the posts above, the cast is indeed owned and kept safe by DDA. He has not taken it - it has always been his. The cast has been displayed publically many times. It has also been filmed numerous times. Articles have been written, and it has been discussed extensively on this board (there's this little function called "search").

An analysis on the cast has been ongoing since it was brought back from Skookum Meadows; the results of which will be presented when complete. As the people involved have jobs and families things take time, especially things one wants done well, and documented every step of the way. Four years may seem like a long time in this society of instant gratification, but the average scientific monograph on an important find often is in the works much longer than that.

As for duplication of the cast, it is not as easy a thing as one would think. The finely detailed surface which shows hair flow patterns in comprised of an eggshell thin coast of hydrocal B-11, which is in turn bonded to a general pour of the same material. Any duplication by less than experts, and perhaps even then, risks destroying the very detail which makes it so interesting.

DDA is an expert in mold-making and casting as that skill is part of his work in the aerospace industry. If he is uncomfortable with the proposals for duplication to date, then he has good reason to be.

P.S. for the record.... his last name is spelled "Noll."

[MrXray]

You guys should have been there when we pulled the casting outta the mud...

Ugh..! Man, was it HEAVY..!!


Regards,
AKT - Washington State

[Apeman]

I think I remember seeing them but does anyone know if and where there might be photos of the presumed dermatoglyphs on what's believed to be a heal impression?

[Desertyeti]

Unless someone knew of a good proven way to accomplish this without risking the integrity of the casting I wouldnt want it messed with either.

Plenty of people do! Museums and universities have molding facilities specially equipped to duplicate delicate dinosaur embryos, bird bones, and all sorts of other artifacts a LOT more delicate and with much finer detail than the heavy-duty Skookum cast.
People that work in these labs are often freelance artists on the side, so they could be contacted fairly easily and would probably do the work for a modest (or no) fee, considering the uniqeness of the specimen.
It would be pretty easy to make a latex or silicone mold of the thing using light-weight, quick-set compounds. Just like have been used on the HUGE dinosaur tracksites in Colorado and other places.
If there was a serious attempt to duplicate the Skookum Cast, it would probably take in the neighborhood of 24-48 hours from start to finish before the first copies could be pulled from the completed mold.
It's honestly not that difficult folks!

[damndirtyape]

The thin egg-shell like face coat would most likely be pulled off from the backup structure. It is a big deal. It is not made of stone like dino tracks. The cast is full of pits, holes and negative draft areas as well.

[Goofyfooter]

A duplicate hanging over the mantle.

Although I wont get my hopes up. Right now it is more scientific material rather than mantle decor.

[Desertyeti]

Is there some reason it can't be hardened with some sealent like is used in very porous and very permeable (and also very delicate) dino tracks, bird bones, and pterosaur skeleons (those things are put together like paper tubes covering styrofoam)?
I'm not trying to be a crank, just curious as to why this hydrocal cast is thought of as so hard to duplicate. Tremendous advances have been made in molding and casting compounds in the past decadeso the Skookum Cast shouldn't pose that much of a challenge.

[GrandCherokee]

desertyrti wrote:

If there was a serious attempt to duplicate the Skookum Cast, it would probably take in the neighborhood of 24-48 hours from start to finish before the first copies could be pulled from the completed mold.
It's honestly not that difficult folks

I remember John Green telling me that he knows of two people right now who would be very qualified to do the job.
But in the end it is Rick's call....!

[Desertyeti]

True true.
Hopefully, copies will be made and distributed (sold or traded) to interested institutions and/or individuals so that more qualified eyes can oggle it. The more the better!

[GrandCherokee]

True true.
Hopefully, copies will be made and distributed (sold or traded) to interested institutions and/or individuals so that more qualified eyes can oggle it.  The more the better!

Many would agree with that!
However ..I believe that there is still a standing invite for anyone from the scientific community to drop by and have a look at the cast!

(Don't want to speak for Rick Noll in this.....and if I am doing so, Rick..c'mon in here and plant a # 12 boot on my heiny!)

This post has been edited by GrandCherokee: Dec 7 2004, 02:23 PM

[Desertyeti]

Time and money prohibit a lot of people from just up and running across the country to look at a cast. That's why replicas are made and distributed. Virtually every anthro. department in the country (and most bigger museums) has a cast of "Lucy" for example. It makes these things available not just to a single researcher, but to students, other interested specialists, etc. Kind of expensive to buy plane (or bus) tickets for 30 students to look at a cast that can be duplicated and shipped for a couple hundred bucks.
Just my thoughts.

[GrandCherokee]

Time and money prohibit a lot of people from just up and running across the country to look at a cast. That's why replicas are made and distributed. Virtually every anthro. department in the country (and most bigger museums) has a cast of "Lucy" for example. It makes these things available not just to a single researcher, but to students, other interested specialists, etc. Kind of expensive to buy plane (or bus) tickets for 30 students to look at a cast that can be duplicated and shipped for a couple hundred bucks.
Just my thoughts.

Everything you say is absolutley correct!
No arguement from me!

[Desertyeti]

Pabst for all!

[GrandCherokee]

..

Attached image(s)

 

[Desertyeti]

NICE

[GrandCherokee]

...which reminds me..I got disk 3 of the 2003 Symposium in the DVD player and Rick was speaking about the cast and doing a presentation. Must get outta here early to finish listen to the rest

[flightmedic]

Lucy?