34: Welcome to New York pt.1: The Elephant in the Room

Grant Thomas
Jan 3, 2024
3 min read

Updated: May 9, 2025

Grant takes us back to the Gilded Age with the origin story of the word "JUMBO". A tale at times hilarious and heartbreaking. Our story starts in East Africa and winds its way through Europe before arriving in New York. Buckle up for this story, it can feel like a real circus.

Do you know how a massive elephant ended up being the talk of the town and even changing the English language? Buckle up because this episode takes you on a wild ride through the life and legend of Jumbo the Elephant. Picture this: a journey from the African plains to the heart of America's circus ring, loaded with drama, unexpected twists, and a touch of celebrity sparkle. Maia and Grant are here to unpack the quirky, tragic, and utterly captivating story that is sure to make you laugh, possibly tear up, and definitely leave you with some killer stories to share. So, ready to find out how Jumbo went from big to jumbo-sized in people's hearts? Hit play, and let’s get this show on the road!

Key takeaways to listen for

[00:00:00] Catch-Up
[00:12:30] American Stardom: Jumbo's journey from obscurity to becoming America’s beloved behemoth
[00:18:55] Marketing Genius of Barnum: How Barnum’s flair for showmanship transformed a large elephant into a colossal icon
[00:24:40] Tragic Curtain Call: The heartbreak surrounding Jumbo’s untimely demise, and how it moved the hearts of a nation
[00:30:15] Memorialized in Memorabilia: Exploring how Jumbo’s memory lives on through statues, collectibles, and even museum exhibits
[00:41:25] The Ethical Elephant in the Room: How Jumbo’s tale reflects changing perspectives on animal rights and entertainment
[00:59:10] Teaching with Trunks: A tool to educate on animal welfare and the history of entertainment
[01:18:45] Circus and Society: The evolution of the circus industry and its role in propelling animal rights movements

Photos Referenced:

*Illustrations of Jumbo refusing to leave London - courtesy of Wikimedia Commons*

*Elephantine Colossus burning on Coney Island - courtesy of Illustrated America via Wikipedia*

"Lucy" one of the Jumbo inspired buildings - courtesy of LucytheElephant.org — *"Lucy" one of the Jumbo inspired buildings - courtesy of* *LucytheElephant.org*

Quotes:

Despite the film being fictional, many people have speculated that jumbo might have been the little character's father. - Grant Thomas
No one ever tells you this in history class, and I'm so glad that I get to tell you it is built and opened before the Statue of Liberty. - Grant Thomas
There was a train, there was a drink, and there was a tragedy. - Maia Warner
P.T. Barnum was the original hype machine, and Jumbo was his Beyoncé. - Maia Warner

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