Gunther von Hagens, Creator of Polarizing ‘Body Worlds’ Exhibits, Dies at 81

A German scientist, he developed a process for turning corpses into posable figures. His shows drew millions of visitors, and many detractors.

Critics accused von Hagens of crossing into sensationalism with displays that included a corpse riding a plastinated horse and the body of a pregnant woman carrying an eight-month-old foetus.

Gunther Von Hagens, the inventor of the method of preserving the human body called plastination, died on Friday in a German hospital at the age of 81.

Marijan Murat/picture alliance via Getty Images The anatomist who created the popular yet controversial “Body Worlds” exhibits of preserved human corpses in elaborate poses has died at age 81. Gunther von Hagens began developing his so-called plastination process in the 1970s, replacing body fluids with liquid plastic

Gunther von Hagens obituary: Anatomist behind sensational Body Worlds  The Times

During a "Body Worlds" show in London in 2002, the anatomist conducted Britain's first public autopsy in 170 years before a sellout crowd of hundreds, defying government warnings that it might be illegal.

Gunther von Hagens, the German anatomist who generated both fascination and revulsion around the globe with his “Body Worlds” exhibits of preserved human corpses, has died. He was 81.

Controversial anatomist’s body ‘will definitely be plastinated’ in line with his wishes, a spokesperson said Gunther von Hagens, who developed a technique for permanently preserving human bodies in rigid states and toured the world with his controversial Body Worlds exhibition, has moved closer to fulfilling a long-hel

Gunther von Hagens, the German anatomist who generated both fascination and revulsion around the globe with his “Body Worlds” exhibits of preserved human corpses, has died

Gunther von Hagens, the German anatomist who generated both fascination and revulsion around the globe with his “Body Worlds” exhibits of preserved human corpses, has died

‘Body Worlds’ anatomist Gunther von Hagens dies at 81  AP News

Gunther von Hagens, the controversial creator of the ‘Body Worlds’ exhibitions, has died at 81. Learn about his life, plastination, and legacy.

Gunther von Hagens invented the plastination process, which involves removing water and fat from human and animal tissue and replacing them with chemical compounds in order to preserve bodies after death.

The family of the anatomist vowed to carry out his wish for his body to be preserved using the plastination technique he developed himself.

Gunther von Hagens' controversial exhibits featured dissected human and animal bodies.