Rudolf Spanner

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Rudolf Spanner was a German doctor at the Danzig Anatomical Institute during World War II.

Spanner designed, on his own initiative, a process to produce soap from human fat in 1943-44 and a limited quantity of the soap was produced on his order to clean autopsy rooms.[1] Allegations of large scale human soap production is a myth with origins dating back to World War I.[2][3] However, tests have since shown that Spanner did produce a limited amount of soap from human fat. Suggested sources for the fat include Stutthof concentration camp, Gdansk Municipal Jail, and a Gdansk psychiatric hospital.[4]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Nałkowska, Zofia; Diana Kruprel (translator) (February 2000). Medallions (Jewish Lives). Northwestern University Press. ISBN 0-8101-1743-6. 
  2. ^ The Soap Myth. Jewish Virtual Library. Retrieved on 2006-12-13.
  3. ^ The Soap Allegations. Jewish Virtual Library. Retrieved on 2006-12-13.
  4. ^ Soap made from human remains. Nizkor. Retrieved on 2006-12-29.