Dr. James Bedford: The First Cryonically Preserved Human
A Vision Beyond His Time
Dr. James Hiram Bedford, a University of California professor and World War I veteran,
became the first person to undergo cryopreservation—
the freezing of the body after death in hopes of future revival.
The Decision to Freeze
In 1967, at age 73 and battling cancer, Bedford was inspired by Dr. Robert Ettinger’s book The Prospect of Immortality.
He arranged for his body to be frozen immediately after death.
“I did not do this thinking I would be revived.
I did it in the hope that my descendants might benefit from this great scientific experiment,” he said.
A Scientific Milestone
After his passing, his blood was replaced with protective chemicals and his body stored in liquid nitrogen at –196°C.
The procedure marked a historic moment in cryonics.
Enduring Legacy
Decades later, researchers found his body still remarkably preserved—
a symbol of humanity’s quest to conquer death through science.
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