Sinclair Dinoland, 1964

Sinclair Oil had used a cheerful green Brontosaurus as their mascot for years, so it only made sense that their World's Fair attraction would feature dinosaurs. You DO know that oil is made from the juice of smooshed dinos, don't you?? It appears that all of the critters featured in this exhibit used to roam North America, and that was probably less due to patriotism than the fact that the amazing critters from South America, China, and the rest of the world hadn't been unearthed yet.

I love this photo of the 20 foot high (but 50 feet long according to the souvenir guide!) T. Rex towering over the crowds. And speaking of the crowd, what's with the black knee-socks and shorts? Anyway, the Tyrannosaur's tiny hands look poised to play the piano. Were his arms animated? They look jointed, perhaps they waved about spastically the way mine do.


The Corythosaurus was a plant-eating dinosaur of the so-called "duck billed" variety. They lived in North America, were good parents, and their fossils were often found near giant tires.


At some point the theory emerged that dinosaurs might have been mottled or striped or otherwise wildly patterned instead gray/green or earthen brown. This Trachodon is sporting both stripes and giraffe-like mottling, which makes him a fashion disaster. He had 1500 teeth, which were mostly used for grinding up waffles and Slim Jims.


The Triceratops was one of my favorite dinos when I was a kid. "Old Pointy" here is non-plussed by the (French?) sailors passing by. I don't care what Michael Crichton (author of "Jurassic Park") says, I want my pet dinosaur!


OK, the Stegosaurus was one of my favorites too! Those bony plates and the spiky tail, and that tiny noggin all added up to one interesting animal. Stegos apparently had the misfortune of having to battle Tyrannosaurs all the time, it really got tiresome, especially when you were killed and eaten.