We all know mad scientists are a go-to theme for the horror genre. From Dr. Frankenstein to Dr. Jekyll, mad scientists seem to scare us quite well. But, we also have to take into account that most discoveries of modern science were made in experiments that would make normal humans run for the hills, screaming in terror. So, is there really such a thing as a mad scientist, a man so insane in his experimentation that most normal people would rather have him committed than deciphering data for the greater good?
Yes. Yes, there are.
Giovanni Aldini, Corpse Reanimator —
Aldini was an 19th century Italian physicist and the nephew of Luigi Galvani, the man who pioneered galvanism (basically hooking stuff up to batteries). Aldini then spent most of his life testing the applications of his uncle’s work in the medical field. He ended up becoming the 19th century equivalent of a rock star. For his contributions to science, the emperor of Austria made him a Knight of the Iron Crown.
I wasn’t kidding about that whole ‘19th century rock star’ thing, either. Aldini traveled around with what was basically a science circus. This little big top of horror included a theatrical performance in which he electrocuted human and animal corpses. This gathered huge crowds, I’m guessing because no one had anything better to do than to watch some crazy man electrocute dead bodies.
One show in London in 1812, Aldini electrocuted the heads of cows, horses, sheep, and dogs. Spectators reported that the animals’ jaws and eyes moved, almost as if they were alive again. All in all, it was a puppet show from Hell.
But, in January of 1803, Aldini produced his most controversial experiment to the masses and provided inspiration for Mary Shelley’s famous work years later. The scientist was given the body of a hanged criminal, George Foster, who was executed for the murder of his wife and child. Displaying the murderer’s body for the public to see, he electrocuted his face, which caused his eyes and mouth to twitch and move, looking very much alive. Unsure if he had caused enough of a ‘stir’, he then shoved an electrified rod up the corpse’s rear, at which point the corpse began to thrash around, kicking and punching wildly. So much so, that people were sure he had come back to life and began to demand he be hung again. But…how do you kill something that’s already dead?