Improvements in Scenic and Spectacular Exhibitions.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Feb., 1896-Accepted, 14th Mar., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Scenic and Spectacular Exhibitions.
I, CARL HAGENBECK, of 13 Neuer Pferdemarkt, Hamburg, Germany
Commercial Menagerie and Zoological Gardens, Merchant do hereby declare the
nature of my said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
Hitherto for the purpose of tuition and recreation, animals have been exhibited
to the public of most foreign lands or countries in zoological gardens in such a
manner that these animals divided into groops were placed in special buildings or
fenced in behind rails or trellis work.
In this wise the spectator learned undoubtedly much that is interesting and
instructive yet the general impression gives him a somewhat primative idea for
although the form, and shape of the animals could be truly ascertained no exact
conception could be formed of their mode of living and movements in their own
country or lair such as can now be obtained from the physical and zoological
panorama forming the object of this invention.
The new panorama consists essentially in exhibiting upon a suitable ground or
plot of land a foreign part or region peopled with the creatures belonging i.e.,
indigenous thereto (men and animals).
In order to illustrate this method by an example the accompanying drawings
show in
Figure 1 a portion of the polar region.
Figure 2 being a diagram showing the difference of levels.
To carry out such a panorama a plot of land about 20 metres wide by 60 metres
long would be most suitable.
The public stands on the surface 1. which is sufficiently raised above the ground
of the panorama to avoid all danger for the onlookers and sees in the front ground
the icebergs exactly as they occur in nature. At 2 for instance a number of seals
or sea dogs and polar birds of the most varied kind can be seen deporting themselves
while in the sheds or cabaus 3 which are sufficiently high to prevent the animals
from escaping over them there are shown Esquimaux, and at 5 which is separated
from the part 2 by a deep cutting are exhibited a number of polar bears which are
prevented from reaching 2 by the ditch 4 having a depth of 2 metres and a width
of from 2 to 3 metres.
By means of artistic painting and ornamental moulding the whole panorama can
be completed in such a manner as to thoroughly create the illusion that are actually
transported in the polar regions.
When southern regions are selected for exhibition in such panoramas not only
the fauna but the flora are also shown in order to complete the exhibit which helps
to enhance still more the natural impression made.
The bringing together of living men and animals and especially of wild animals
within a space common to all, without glasses rails, trellis work or other dis-
figuring means, which appears scarcely possible can be effected by the proper
arrangement of the ground. If the panorama is thoroughly carried out there can
be no doubt that for young and old a highly amusant and instructive exhibition
can be thus got up, and a natural conceptive image can be obtainel which it is
not given to many to perceive.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
-claim is :-
1st. A physical and natural panorama which exhibits to the public upon a
suitable ground any suitable part or region of the earth peopled with the live
-creatures indigenous thereto (men and fauna) and with the addition of the
corresponding flora.
2nd. The method of carrying out the panorama above claimed, whereby rails,
trellis or other means impending the free motion of the animals or the vision of the
onlookers are dispersed with the panorama being completed with the aid of
painting and moulding.
3rd. To carry out the panorama above claimed suitable ground arrangements
characterized by the use of obstacles such as ditches, water races and elevations or
banks to prevent the meeting of hostile animals and protect the men without
interfering with the general outlook.
Dated this 11th day of February 1896.
GEORGE BARKER,
77 Colmore Row, Birmingham, Agent for Applicant.