Dr. James Hiram Bedford was a remarkable individual. He was a well-respected professor at the University of California and a veteran of World War I. Throughout his life, he gained abundant experiences from his travels across the globe. Despite these accomplishments, Bedford is most notably remembered as the first person to undergo cryonic preservation, a cutting-edge process at the time, which involves preserving a human body or brain at freezing temperatures after death.

In 1967, Bedford faced a formidable challenge when he was diagnosed with kidney cancer that had spread to his lungs. Medical advancements were limited back then, not as advanced as we have today. Yet, Bedford was ahead of his time in exploring future-forward solutions for medical conditions.

The Concept of Cryonic Preservation

During the period of his diagnosis, Bedford was intrigued by the burgeoning field of cryonic preservation. His curiosity was piqued after reading Dr. Robert Ettinger’s book, “The Prospect of Immortality.” Dr. Ettinger, who later became known as the father of cryonics, founded the Cryonics Institute. His vision was to freeze bodies after death, with the possibility of revival in the future once medical technology had progressed sufficiently to treat the ailments that led to death.

Inspired by this groundbreaking idea, Bedford made the decision to have his own body cryogenically preserved upon his passing.

On January 12, 1967, following his death, Bedford’s body underwent an intricate process. Initially, he was injected with dimethyl sulfoxide to safeguard his internal organs, and then his blood was drained completely.

The Cryogenic Process

Afterward, Bedford was placed in a tank filled with liquid nitrogen, reaching a frigid temperature of minus 196 degrees Celsius. This meticulous process was crucial to the preservation.

A significant development occurred twenty-four years later when an organization named Alcor, specializing in cryonic preservation, examined Bedford’s cryogenic state.

Upon inspection, they found his body’s preservation to be surprisingly intact. Although his nose and mouth retained a faint smell of blood, his facial features had a youthful appearance, belying his actual age of 73. Some discoloration was present on his chest and neck, and his corneas had turned a chalky white hue resembling ice.

Continuing with the preservation, technicians re-wrapped Bedford in a fresh sleeping bag, immersing him back into the liquid nitrogen for further storage. Today, over fifty years on, he remains in this state, waiting as a scientific “mummy.”

Reflecting on Bedford’s decision, Robert Nelson, one of the scientists involved in his cryonic preservation, recalled his last words: “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 advancement.”