50 years later, no one expected

Over half a century has elapsed, and there remains a profound curiosity regarding the potential for reviving a deceased individual, as well as the capabilities of contemporary human science to achieve remarkable feats. The pivotal question that many seek to answer is whether humanity possesses the technological means to resurrect someone who has died. This inquiry was also at the forefront of Dr. James Hiram Bedford’s mind, who, driven by a fervent desire to continue living, chose to undergo cryonic preservation with the expectation of being revived in 2017.

Now, three years have passed since that significant date, and the public is eager to learn the fate of the man once regarded as the wealthiest individual in America.

James Hiram Bedford was a psychology professor at the University of California and a World War I veteran. He led a rich life during the mid-20th century, having been married twice and traveled extensively across the globe. His adventures included hunting in Africa, exploring the Amazon rainforest, and visiting various countries such as Greece, Turkey, Spain, England, Scotland, Germany, and Switzerland. Notably, Bedford was among the first individuals to traverse the Alcan Highway to northwest Canada and Alaska.

In 1967, James received a diagnosis of terminal kidney cancer, which had spread to his lungs. Given the medical limitations of that era, he faced the grim reality of his impending death. Prior to this, he had encountered the concept of cryonics in Dr. Robert Ettinger’s book, “The Prospect of Immortality.” Ettinger, recognized as the pioneer of cryonic preservation, established the Cryonics Institute, which specializes in freezing bodies post-mortem. Following his death on January 12, 1967, Professor James Bedford became one of the first subjects of cryonics, receiving an injection of dimethyl sulfoxide to facilitate the preservation process.
In 1967, James received a diagnosis of terminal kidney cancer, which had spread to his lungs. Given the medical limitations of that era, he had no option but to accept his grim prognosis. Prior to this, he had encountered the concept of cryonics in Dr. Robert Ettinger’s book, The Prospect of Immortality. Ettinger, recognized as the pioneer of body freezing research and the founder of the Cryonics Institute, specialized in post-mortem body preservation. Following James’s death on January 12, 1967, Robert Nelson initiated the first cryonics procedures by administering dimethyl sulfoxide.

The details of James’s body freezing were disclosed in the Daily Telegraph (UK) in January 2017. Over five decades have elapsed, and there remains a widespread curiosity regarding the possibility of his revival and whether contemporary science can achieve such feats. The question of whether technology exists to resurrect a deceased individual has captivated many. Dr. James Hiram Bedford, who shared this hope, willingly chose to undergo cryonic preservation with the expectation of being revived in 2017.

Now, three years beyond that significant date, there is a keen interest in the fate of the man once regarded as the wealthiest individual in America. James Hiram Bedford, a psychology professor at the University of California and a World War I veteran, led a rich life during the mid-20th century. He was married twice and traveled extensively, exploring regions such as Africa, the Amazon rainforest, and various countries including Greece, Türkiye, Spain, England, Scotland, Germany, and Switzerland. Additionally, Bedford was among the early drivers of the Alcan Highway to northwest Canada and Alaska.
In 1967, James received a diagnosis of terminal kidney cancer, which had spread to his lungs. Given the medical limitations of that era, he had no option but to confront the grim reality of his prognosis. Prior to this, he had encountered the concept of cryonics in Dr. Robert Ettinger’s book, The Prospect of Immortality. Dr. Ettinger, recognized as the pioneer of body freezing research and the founder of the Cryonics Institute, advocated for the preservation of bodies after death. Following James’s passing, Robert Nelson initiated the cryonics process by administering dimethyl sulfoxide on the afternoon of January 12, 1967.

The account of James’s body freezing procedure was disclosed in the Daily Telegraph (UK) in January 2017.