Episode Title: The Sculptor of Extinction Topic: Carl Akeley – Inventor of modern taxidermy and museum habitat dioramas Summary: Carl Akeley revolutionized museum exhibits by inventing lifelike taxidermy techniques and immersive wildlife dioramas. He turned static animals into emotional, educational encounters—and used art to preserve a vanishing natural world. Key Themes: • Natural history museum innovation • Intersection of art and science • Early wildlife conservation • The ethics of exhibition and extinction Recommended Reading: • In Brightest Africa by Carl Akeley • American Museum of Natural History – Akeley Hall archives • Smithsonian: History of Taxidermy Techniques