Gunther von Hagens is a German anatomist and inventor, best known for creating the controversial exhibition called Body Worlds. This exhibition showcases preserved human bodies through a process called plastination, which replaces bodily fluids with plastics to maintain the body's structure and appearance. Born on January 10, 1945, von Hagens has a background in medicine and has worked in various academic and research institutions. His work has sparked discussions about the ethics of displaying human remains, as well as the importance of anatomy education in understanding the human body.