Dr. James Hiram Bedford was a fascinating figure, known for his remarkable life as a World War I veteran and esteemed professor at the University of California. While he achieved much during his lifetime, it’s his unique choice in death that truly sets him apart. Dr. Bedford was the first person ever to experience cryonic preservation, a process of freezing the human body at extremely low temperatures in the hope of future revival.
In 1967, Bedford faced a battle with kidney cancer that had spread to his lungs. During the 1960s, medical advancements were still in infancy compared to the leaps and bounds we’ve seen today.
Understanding Cryonics: Bedford’s Vision
Dr. Bedford was already aware of the burgeoning field of cryonics, having read Dr. Robert Ettinger’s influential book, “The Prospect of Immortality.” Dr. Ettinger, a pioneer in the field, is often regarded as the father of cryonics. He founded the Cryonics Institute, where the goal was to preserve bodies post-mortem, potentially reviving them when science has progressed enough to cure what caused their deaths.
Motivated by this concept, Bedford made arrangements for his body to be frozen after he passed away.
On January 12, 1967, after passing, Bedford’s body underwent a preparatory process. To safeguard his organs, dimethyl sulfoxide was injected as his blood was carefully removed.
The Frozen Frontier: Bedford’s Cryonic State
Following this meticulous procedure, Dr. Bedford was submerged in a tank of liquid nitrogen, chilled to an astonishing minus 196 degrees Celsius.
Fast forward 24 years, and in 1991, Alcor, an organization specializing in cryonics, examined his body to assess its preservation.
The findings were intriguing. Despite being decades old, his body showed commendable preservation. His face appeared surprisingly youthful, though his skin exhibited some discoloration and his eyes had turned a frosty white.
Technicians then rewrapped Bedford in a fresh sleeping bag, once more immersing him in liquid nitrogen, where he remains to this day.
More than half a century later, Bedford remains in suspended anticipation, frozen in time. He is, as yet, unawakened.
One of the three scientists involved in this pioneering procedure, Robert Nelson, recalled Bedford’s final words. They were not filled with personal hope but a broader aspiration: “I want you to understand that I did not do this with the thought that I would be revived. I did this in the hope that one day my descendants will benefit from this wonderful scientific solution.”
