Dawn,

 

Smedley was created in 1982 in conjunction with the development of the Third Planet geology/palontology gallery at the Milwaukee Public Museum while I was Curator of Geology there. The name was selected through an open "competition" for Milwaukee children. The costume was constructed specifically to fit Kurt Hallin, an employee of the museum's Geology Department. One of Smedley's early appearances was at the 1982 American League Championship Series between the Brewer and the Oakland A's. Then-head of the Friends of the Museum, Jean Lindemann, a personal friend of Brewers owner Bud Selig, got Selig's personal OK for Smedley to saunter around County Stadium between innings, posing for pictures and appearing on national TV. Smedley had to have a "tail guard" accompany him so his tail would get neither pulled (and, thus Smedley toppled) nor worn our from dragging on the stadium concrete.

 

Mac West