Stories
- Article
Artificial intelligence and the dream of eternal life
Until now, eternal life was the stuff of fiction, or in the unknowable realms of religion. But an artificial intelligence that ‘remembers’ the whole of an individual’s experience could be the way to life after death.
- Article
Our endless quest for eternal youth
From poisonous 16th-century cosmetics to the latest “vampire facelift”, discover the fashions in unsavoury methods for improving our appearance.
- In pictures
Miracle cure-alls throughout the ages
From the elixir of life to radium, humans have always searched for a panacea: something to cure every ill. But instead it’s only highlighted our anxieties and preoccupations throughout history.
Catalogue
- Books
- Online
Extension of life by Elixir Godineau.
Elixir Godineau.Date: [1895?]- Archives and manuscripts
Elixir for a long life / Elixir de longue vie
Date: 1800sReference: MS.9289- Pictures
An alchemist standing before a board illustrated with diagrams, lecturing to a crowd on the elixir of life. Wood engraving, 1852-3, after D. Scott.
Scott, David, 1806-1849.Date: 1852-3Reference: 37576i- Books
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The wise-mans crown, or, The glory of the rosie-cross : shewing the wonderful power of nature, with the full discovery of the true cœlum terræ, or first matter of metals, and their preparations into incredible medicines or elixirs that cure all diseases in young or old : with the regio lucis, and holy houshold of rosie crucian philosophers / communicated to the world by John Heydon, Gent.
Heydon, John, 1629-Date: 1664-65- Books
- Online
Otto Tachenius his clavis to the ancient hippocratical physick or medicine : made by manual experience in the very fountains of nature, whereby through fire and water, in a method unheard of before, the occult mysteries of nature and art are unlocked and clearly explained by a compendious way of operation.
Tachenius, Otto, -approximately 1670Date: 1677