HEIDELBERG, GERMANY - Newsaktuell - 27 July 2026 - It is with deep sadness that the family and the Institute for Plastination announce the passing of Dr. Gunther von Hagens, inventor of Plastination and creator of the BODY WORLDS exhibitions. He died on July 24, 2026, at the age of 81.
Dr. Gunther von Hagens, Inventor of Plastination & Creator of the BODY WORLDS exhibitions, 1945-2026
Gunther von Hagens fundamentally transformed the field of anatomy. Through Plastination—the preservation technique he invented in 1977—he created an entirely new perspective of the human body for medical education, science and the general public. He made the complexity, vulnerability and beauty of the human body—previously reserved for the dissection room and anatomical textbooks –directly accessible to the wider public.
Together with his wife and curator, Dr. Angelina Whalley, Gunther von Hagens created BODY WORLDS, one of the most successful exhibitions in the world. Since its debut, the exhibition has been visited by more than 58 million people. BODY WORLDS made anatomy publicly accessible, encouraged reflection on health, disease, lifestyle and mortality, and inspired millions of people understand and appreciate their own bodies.
"Gunther wanted to give people the opportunity to look beneath the skin — not out of sensationalism, but from the deep conviction that knowledge of one's own body can contribute to a more conscious, healthier responsible life," says Angelina Whalley. "His work was scientific, educational and deeply humanistic. He enabled millions of people to see their own bodies in a new light."
His son, Rurik von Hagens, also honors his father's life's work, "My father never accepted that boundaries were fixed. He brought anatomy out of the closed world of specialists and into society. His courage, his perseverance and his unwavering belief that education serves humanity will continue to guide us."
Gunther von Hagens was a pioneer, researcher, inventor and creator. His life's work united scientific precision with exceptional craftsmanship, artistic expression and a strong commitment to education. He was an unconventional and often provocative thinker who sparked heated debates, overcame resistance and understood anatomy as an encounter with life itself.
Body donation was always a central part of his work. The human specimens displayed in the BODY WORLDS come from individuals who, during their lifetime, decided to donate their bodies after death for Plastination, scientific research and anatomical education. Gunther von Hagens was deeply grateful to these individuals. He regarded their decision as an extraordinary contribution to education, science and public enlightenment.
It was Gunther von Hagens' own wish that his body, too, be made available for Plastination after his death. His family will respect and carry out this wish.
Despite serious illness, Gunther von Hagens remained closely connected to his life's work. The Plastination technique he developed, the Institute for Plastination, the PLASTINARIUM and the BODY WORLDS exhibitions will carry his legacy forward. His scientific and craftsmanship-based legacy lives on in a particularly visible way in Guben. There, at the PLASTINARIUM, anatomical specimens are created for use in the education of physicians and other healthcare professionals at universities, medical schools and educational institutions around the world.
Today, Plastination itself is used at numerous universities, medical schools and educational institutions worldwide.
In this way, the mission Gunther von Hagens began nearly five decades ago continues far beyond BODY WORLDS:
to preserve anatomy permanently, to make it visible, and to make it accessible for science, teaching and public education.
The family kindly asks that their privacy be respected during this time of mourning.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Dr. Gunther von Hagens
Dr. Gunther von Hagens was born on January 10, 1945, in Alt-Skalden, in what is now Poland, and grew up in the GDR. After studying medicine, he invented Plastination at the University of Heidelberg in 1977—a technique for the permanent preservation of biological specimens. In 1993, he founded the Institute for Plastination in Heidelberg, followed in 2006 by the PLASTINARIUM in Guben, which has for many years served as the central laboratory facility for Plastination. With the BODY WORLDS exhibitions, he made human anatomy accessible to audiences around the world. His work transformed anatomical education and became one of the most recognized intersections of science, medicine and public exhibition in the world.
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HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 27 July 2026 - Shanghai Commercial Bank ("Shacom Bank") today unveiled the new look of its West Point Branch at Catchick Street, Kennedy Town, following a comprehensive upgrade. Established in 1962, the branch has served the Western District for over six decades and remains an integral part of the community. The revitalization not only breathes new life into a longstanding neighbourhood landmark but also delivers a new banking experience that reflects Shacom Bank's commitment to technological innovation, sustainability and community values.
New Automated Safe Deposit Box Service Championing Privacy and Security
A key highlight of the upgrade is the launch of a brand new automated safe deposit box service. Shacom Bank is the first bank in Hong Kong to introduce robotic arm delivery technology, enabling safe deposit boxes to be automatically retrieved and delivered directly to a private room for customers. With more than 1,600 safe deposit boxes in various sizes, the branch caters to strong customer demand for secure safe deposit box service.
After completing identity verification at the safe deposit box service counter, customers receive a one-time QR code to access a private room. The robotic arm system then delivers the designated safe deposit box directly to the customer, who can open it with their personal key without entering the vault to access the box, significantly enhancing privacy. The technology also eliminates the need for customers to carry the boxes manually – particularly those located at higher levels – thereby removing the risk of injury during retrieval.
To celebrate the grand opening of West Point Branch, customers who open or upgrade to Shacom Bank "SMART Banking"1 service can enjoy a 20% discount on the first-year rent for safe deposit box service.
Sustainable Design and Modern Green Branch
With a usable floor area of more than 7,000 square feet, the branch features an optimized spatial design and presents a stylish, contemporary look. The new branch, designed by a leading hospitality design team, features an overall layout and design that are both centered on delivering an exceptional customer experience. Its spacious layout and premium materials perfectly embody Shacom Bank's motto, "For Personalized Service." Departing from the traditional counter model, the Wealth Management Centre on the first floor offers private meeting rooms and dedicated relationship managers, creating a more premium yet welcoming setting for wealth management services. A warm, wood-based design palette is adopted throughout the branch. The lobby counter has been reconfigured with the overhead frame removed and curved edges, reducing visual barriers and enhancing the sense of openness.
Championing green building principles, the branch incorporates low-carbon, recycled and internationally certified sustainable materials. In the back-office areas, eco-friendly carpet and flooring have been installed, equivalent to recycling up to 168,050 discarded PET plastic bottles. Other construction materials also meet various international environmental standards and certifications, including the GreenGuard Gold-certified flooring and Global GreenTag-certified wood veneers used extensively in panelling and millwork. Intelligent temperature control and energy-saving LED lighting systems are also expected to significantly reduce annual electricity consumption, creating a modern, comfortable and environmentally responsible banking environment.
Mr. Varden Choi, Managing Director, Chief of Branch Banking at Shanghai Commercial Bank, said, "Our newly renovated West Point Branch embodies our motto "For Personalized Service" and delivers an enhanced banking experience. Recognizing the growing demand for convenient and secure safe deposit box services, we are pleased to introduce an automated solution that combines financial technology with the strengths of traditional banking."
He added, "For over 60 years, our West Point Branch has grown alongside the community, earning the trust and fond memories of generations of customers. By introducing the new automated safe deposit box service and incorporating sustainable building design elements at the new branch, we aim to deliver more forward-looking and caring services, ushering in a new era of banking together with the Western District community and customers across Hong Kong."
1 Maintain a Total Asset Balance of HK$1,000,000 or more to be our SMART Banking customer.
Hashtag: #ShanghaiCommercialBank #ShacomBank
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About Shanghai Commercial Bank
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Shanghai Commercial Bank's West Point Branch has completed its upgrade and reopened for business, introducing robotic arm technology for its automated safe deposit box service. Pictured are Mr. Varden Choi, Managing Director, Chief of Branch Banking (left), and Mr. Tony Wan, Managing Director, Head of Segments and Retail Products (right), both from Shanghai Commercial Bank.
