At the Museum of Science and Industry, Body Worlds–a collection of more than 200 authentic human specimens that includes entire preserved bodies, individual organs and transparent body slices–has become an unlikely hot spot on the dating scene this summer.
“We noticed recently when leaving the building at the end of the day that a lot of couples were coming in to visit the exhibit during evening hours,” said Valerie Waller, vice president of marketing and public relations for the museum. “We didn’t really expect that.
“I think it’s just that it’s something new and unusual,” Waller said. “I imagine what folks look for in a date is something that sparks conversation rather than just sitting in the quiet for a couple of hours at a movie.”
In an informal survey conducted by museum employees on three recent evenings, 75 couples at Body Worlds provided a variety of reasons for picking the exhibit over, say, a deep-dish pizza and a movie.
Answers ranged from “it’s educational,” to “it makes for a memorable date,” with 37 percent of the couples even claiming the exhibit’s dating appeal is that “it helps you learn more about the opposite sex.”
The survey also found that for 48 percent of the couples, the female suggested a date at Body Worlds, while for 30 percent the male suggested it; 22 percent said they had both mentioned the idea.
Ninety-four percent of the couples said they would recommend a Body Worlds date.
More than 500,000 people have visited the exhibit since it opened in February.
It is open from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week through Sept. 5.
