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Philadelphia’s Franklin Institute Presents Plastination Creator Gunther Von Hagens’ Body Worlds 2
We just love the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We recall the giant replica of the human heart that once guaranteed to please visitors to the world famous science museum.
The unique characteristic of the heart was its size. It was big enough for little children, accompanied by their adult teacher or parent to walk through; the tour through the heart intended to replicate the same path blood travels through the real thing. The path in the Franklin Institute heart was backwards. We would enter on the left side and pass thought the heart. It was the opposite direction the life giving fluid flows in the real cardiac organ. Blood enters through the right ventricle of the heart. Ah, those were the days.
Fastfoward to the 21st Century. October 17th 2009 a fascinating exhibit opens to the public for 18 weeks only. It’s BODY WORLDS 2 & The Brain. This is the original exhibition from innovative anatomist Dr. Gunther Von Hagens who presented and astounded the world with Body Worlds. It is somewhat reminiscent of the anatomy of the human heart in the way a Toyota Camry Hybrid is reminiscent of a Model T Ford.Gunther Von Hagens uses a technique called plastination. To quote the promotional material for this amazing exhibition:
“BODY WORLDS 2 & The Brain presents a broad collection of authentic human specimens, and, for the first time in Philadelphia, a special presentation on the brain. Featuring some of the latest findings in neuroscience on brain development, function and disease, this exhibit will inspire a greater understanding of and respect for the mysterious world of the brain.
All specimens in BODY WORLDS exhibitions are preserved by the revolutionary process of Plastination, invented by anatomist Dr. Gunther von Hagens. BODY WORLDS is the only public anatomical exhibition associated with an established body-donation program.”
A word or two about the Fels Planetarium located in the Franklin Institute. The Samuel Fels Planetarium is the second oldest planetarium in the U.S. When you are in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area a visit to the Franklin Institute is incomplete without going to the Fels.
Seven years ago during a renovation, the original 1933, 40 thousand pound stainless steel dome was replaced with a lighter seamless 60 feet in diameter dome. The dome, the first of its kind in the United States, was made by Spitz, Inc of Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania.
The Franklin Institute’s Fels Planetarium boasts modern upgraded technologies including Surround Sound for the Sky Tonight and other astronomical presentations.
Next time you’re in the City Of Brotherly Love visit the scenic Benjamin Franklin Parkway with all of its beautiful museums. You’ll learn a lot.
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