The opening sequence might, maybe, possibly be a nod to the weirdest western movie ever made. 'Terror In Tiny Town' had an all midget cast who rode Shetland ponies. Unfortunately the town and furniture was all standard size.
From 1877 to 1892 two paleontologists, Cope and Marsh, led competing teams of dinosaur fossil hunters. The 'Bone War' was fierce, by science standards, and included diversionary misdirection, claim jumping, theft, and sabotage. It only ended when Cope and Marsh both ran out of money.
Bartok seems to think the parachute is a new idea and even gives it a convoluted name. By 1785 the cloth canopy parachute had been proven effective and the name 'parachute' coined in France. Earlier, and rather ineffective versions, date back to the 1400s.
At points during the story, the musical score introduces a few notes that are very reminiscent of the Jurassic Park (1993) movie theme.