Dr. Gunther von Hagens, the German anatomist who invented the Plastination technique in 1977 and created the iconic 'Body Worlds' travelling anatomical exhibition, passed away in 2026. Plastination is a process that replaces water and fat in biological specimens with polymers (silicone, polyester, or epoxy resin), creating permanent, odourless, and durable anatomical specimens for education and display. Body Worlds — featuring plasticised full human bodies and organs in dramatic poses — has been seen by over 50 million visitors in more than 50 cities worldwide. Von Hagens was born in 1945 in Posen (now Poznań, Poland) and developed Plastination at Heidelberg University, Germany.
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Dr. Gunther von Hagens, Inventor of Plastination and Creator of 'Body Worlds' Exhibition, Passes Away
Key Points
- Gunther von Hagens, the German anatomist who invented the Plastination technique in 1977 and created the iconic 'Body Worlds' travelling anatomical exhibition, passed away in 2026
- Plastination is a process that replaces water and fat in biological specimens with polymers (silicone, polyester, or epoxy resin), creating permanent, odourless, and durable anatomical specimens for education and display
- Body Worlds — featuring plasticised full human bodies and organs in dramatic poses — has been seen by over 50 million visitors in more than 50 cities worldwide
- Von Hagens was born in 1945 in Posen (now Poznań, Poland) and developed Plastination at Heidelberg University, Germany
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• Dr. Gunther von Hagens: German anatomist; died 2026; inventor of Plastination (1977, Heidelberg University) • Plastination: replaces water + fat with polymers; permanent anatomical specimens for education • Body Worlds: travelling anatomical exhibition; 50 million+ visitors; 50+ cities worldwide • Born 1945; Heidelberg University, Germany; Plastination technique patented 1977
