By By Tim Sandle Jan 4, 2017 in Lifestyle London - For over one hundred years a skeletal reconstruction of a life-size Diplodocus has stood in the entrance of London’s Natural History Museum. Dubbed ‘Dippy’, the model is now going on a national tour. The Diplodocus was identified as a species of dinosaur in 1878 by Professor Othniel C Marsh at Yale University. These giant lizards lived between 156 and 145 million years ago. There are three types: Diplodocus longus, Diplodocus lacustris and Diplodocus carnegii. The latter is the species upon which Dippy is modeled. The exhibit at the Natural History Museum is a recast of a fossil on show at the Carnegie Museum, and it was requested for the museum by King Edward VII. The dinosaur model is made up of 292 parts, representing bones. The dark, grayish brown sculpture weighs 3,000 pounds, stands 22 feet, and measures 84 feet in length. The positioning of the dinosaur has changed during the years. Dippy’s head originally pointed downwards with the tail resting on the ground; then, following new research into dinosaurs, the neck was raised to a horizontal position and in 1993, the tail was repositioned to curve over visitors' heads. From the start of 2017, the dinosaur is to be replaced by a blue whale skeleton. Following this, between 2018 and 2020, Dippy will go on a grand tour of Britain. A collection of smaller dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum. Tim Sandle The The replacement of Dippy with a blue whale retains a key specimen and one to amaze visitors as they enter the museum. Blue whales are the largest mammals on the planet and they are listed as endangered, so although the impressive dinosaur is disappearing (at least for a time) another important specimen takes its place. The Natural History Museum's iconic Diplodocus skeleton cast, commonly referred to as Dippy, has stood in the grand entrance hall (the Hintze Hall) since 1905, greeting museum visitors The dinosaur has been used in many movies and as the backdrop for public gatherings.The Diplodocus was identified as a species of dinosaur in 1878 by Professor Othniel C Marsh at Yale University. These giant lizards lived between 156 and 145 million years ago. There are three types: Diplodocus longus, Diplodocus lacustris and Diplodocus carnegii. The latter is the species upon which Dippy is modeled.The exhibit at the Natural History Museum is a recast of a fossil on show at the Carnegie Museum, and it was requested for the museum by King Edward VII. The dinosaur model is made up of 292 parts, representing bones. The dark, grayish brown sculpture weighs 3,000 pounds, stands 22 feet, and measures 84 feet in length.The positioning of the dinosaur has changed during the years. Dippy’s head originally pointed downwards with the tail resting on the ground; then, following new research into dinosaurs, the neck was raised to a horizontal position and in 1993, the tail was repositioned to curve over visitors' heads.From the start of 2017, the dinosaur is to be replaced by a blue whale skeleton. Following this, between 2018 and 2020, Dippy will go on a grand tour of Britain. Commenting on the forthcoming tour , Sir Michael Dixon, director of the Natural History Museum said: “We wanted Dippy to visit unusual locations so he can draw in people who may not traditionally visit a museum. Making iconic items accessible to as many people as possible is at the heart of what museums give to the nation.”The skeleton will be on show at : Dorset County Museum; Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery; Ulster Museum; Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum; Glasgow Great North Museum; Hancock; Newcastle upon Tyne; National Assembly for Wales; Number One Riverside; and Rochdale Norwich Cathedral.The replacement of Dippy with a blue whale retains a key specimen and one to amaze visitors as they enter the museum. Blue whales are the largest mammals on the planet and they are listed as endangered, so although the impressive dinosaur is disappearing (at least for a time) another important specimen takes its place. More about dippy, diplodocus, Dinosaur More news from dippy diplodocus Dinosaur