Gunther von Hagens, creator of "Body Worlds," dies at 81

Gunther von Hagens, the German anatomist and physician renowned for his "Body Worlds" exhibitions of plastinated human bodies, has died at the age of 81. A Parkinson's disease diagnosis had increasingly affected him in recent years.

Von Hagens dedicated his life to the study of the human body, developing and patenting the plastination method in 1977 at the University of Heidelberg. This technique involves replacing body water with acetone, followed by a vacuum process to introduce a plastic polymer. Previously, students relied on wax models or formaldehyde-preserved specimens for anatomical study.

His groundbreaking work allowed for the preservation of organs and entire bodies, making them visible, odorless, and dry for display. This led to the creation of the "Body Worlds" exhibitions, which featured plastinated specimens in various poses, from sports to intimate moments. While these displays captivated millions worldwide, they also sparked debate, with some viewing them as crossing ethical boundaries and others drawn to their unique aesthetic and morbid charm.

Von Hagens described his exhibitions as a "democratization of anatomy," aiming to educate the public about the transience of human life and the impact of lifestyle choices on health. He famously contrasted a dark, smoker's lung with a healthy, non-smoking lung to highlight these effects. The "Body Worlds" exhibitions have been visited by over 50 million people globally.

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Ich habe drei Fehler gemacht: Ich habe zu lange familiäre Gemeinschaft geübt, zu wenig geschlafen und Kuchen gegessen.