Dr. James Hiram Bedford was a multifaceted individual, serving as a professor at the University of California and a World War I veteran who led a rich and adventurous life. However, he is most notably recognized as the first person to undergo cryonic preservation, a process that involves preserving a human body (or brain) at extremely low temperatures following death. At the time of his diagnosis, Bedford was already acquainted with the idea of cryonic preservation, having read about it in Dr. Robert Ettinger’s book, The Prospect of Immortality.

Dr. Ettinger, regarded as the pioneer of cryonics, founded the Cryonics Institute, which offers body preservation services post-mortem, with the hope of future revival when medical advancements may allow for the treatment of the ailments that led to death.

After learning about this innovative process, Bedford expressed his desire for his body to be preserved after his demise. On January 12, 1967, he received an injection of dimethyl sulfoxide to safeguard his internal organs, following the complete drainage of his blood.

Subsequently, Bedford was placed in a tank filled with liquid nitrogen at a temperature of minus 196 degrees Celsius. Twenty-four years later, Alcor, an organization specializing in cryonic preservation, examined Bedford’s body to assess its condition. The evaluation revealed that the body had been well-preserved; his facial features appeared younger than his 73 years, while his nose and mouth retained a metallic scent, and his skin exhibited discoloration, with his corneas appearing as a chalky white.

More than 50 years after the anticipated time for Bedford’s revival, he remains in a state of suspended animation. Robert Nelson, one of the three scientists involved in the preservation process, recounted Bedford’s final 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 solution.”