Talk:Johann Conrad Dippel

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This article incorporates text from the public domain 1907 edition of The Nuttall Encyclopædia.

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Johann Conrad Dippel (1673-1734).

JCD published many theological works under the name Christianus Democritus, most of them are still preserved. He invented the color "Preussisch Blau" (also "Berliner Blau"), and sold a self-mixed life elixier. He led a very adventurous life, and often got in trouble because of his controversial opinions (and because of money).

His connection to the Castle Frankenstein (near Darmstadt/ Germany), and the idea that he was ideal to Mary Shelley's novel "Frankenstein - or the new Prometheus" is controversial.

There is no doubt about his connection to Castle Frankenstein: it is his birthplace! --Siffler 11:28, 18 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Death

Urban legend says he died after drinking the blue dye he discovered. Does anyone know the real cause of death? BethEnd 16:35, 20 February 2007 (UTC)

In [1] is said, that he most probably died from a stroke, but that many people believed that he had been poisoned. Prussian Blue (or Turnball's Blue) is not poisonous. It leaves the body unchanged, colouring the urine blue. On the contrary, it is used as a decontaminant in case of poisoning with rat poison (thallium) or decontamination of radioactive metals as caesium. Siffler 14:31, 24 February 2007 (UTC)

He also discovered Prussic acid, you know--and it's pretty dang poisonous. 71.223.166.25 09:50, 8 July 2007 (UTC)