The Retro Blog

Happy Bedford Day, everybody. On January 12th, 1967, University of California psychology professor James Bedford became the first man to have his body cryogenically frozen. As the first man to be preserved, the bill was paid by the Life Extension Society. He also earned the awesome title of “cryonaut,” the term given to cryogenically preserved individuals. I like it. It sounds far more adventurous than what it actually describes.

Cecilia Bedford poses with her father in law.

In 1991, his chamber got opened up so her could be moved to more modern facilities. Evaluators said the body was still in pristine condition. No word on if James Bedford is any closer to being the first man to be revived from a cryogenic freeze.