Centuries after vanishing, Galileo's fingers go on display in Florence science museum

http://www.mcall.com/news/nationworld/sns-ap-eu-italy-galileos-fingers,0,2213817.story ^

[Red in Blue PA]

FLORENCE, Italy (AP) — Two of Galileo's fingers, removed from his corpse by admirers in the 18th century, have gone on display in a Florence museum now named after the astronomer.

The Museum of the History of Science had shut down for two years for renovations. It reopened Tuesday, calling itself The Galileo Museum.

Last year, the museum director announced that the thumb and middle finger from Galileo's right hand had turned up at an auction and were recognized as being the fingers of the scientist who died in 1642. The digits are now displayed in slender, glass cases.

Also on display is his tooth. A third finger was already in the museum.

[Red in Blue PA]

A man looks at two fingers of Italian 17th century astronomer Galileo Galilei on display at the newly reopened Galileo Museum of science, in Florence, Tuesday, June 8, 2010. The museum director announced that the thumb and middle finger from Galileo's right hand had turned up at an auction and were recognized as being the fingers of the scientist who died in 1642. The Museum of the History of Science shut down for two years for renovations and reopened on Tuesday, calling itself The Galileo Museum. (AP Photo/Fabrizio Giovannozzi) (Fabrizio Giovannozzi, AP / June 8, 2010)

[chrisser]

Two of Galileo's fingers, removed from his corpse by admirers in the 18th century

If that's what your friends did to you post mortem, what did your enemies do?

[TheThirdRuffian]

They should clone him.

[Don W]

That’s beyond creepy. Those digits should be returned to Galileo’s grave.

[cripplecreek]

When mine vanish I usually find them in my nose.

[Clara Lou]

This is disrespectful. His body was violated.

[a fool in paradise]

[Joe 6-pack]

"Two of Galileo's fingers, removed from his corpse by admirers in the 18th century, have gone on display in a Florence museum now named after the astronomer....The Museum of the History of Science...reopened Tuesday, calling itself The Galileo Museum."

Probably the very same folks who ridicule the Catholic Church over the preservation of relics.

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

He just gave us the finger in that pic! I saw him do it!

[onedoug]

Ugghh. Enough with these relics already.

[billorites]

Jimmy Hoffa’s fingers are somewhere near Meadowlands Stadium.

[Young Werther]

Fingers! I'll give you the fingers! Well there hidden in the shadows!

[DallasDeb]

Creepy.

[Mr Ramsbotham]

Looks like the first use of digital technology.

[nmh]

How grisly.

What's wrong with people?

Are they venerating his fingers?

[theDentist]

They ought to send Galileo's middle finger to the church.

:-)

[TheThinker]

How did we get from Galileo’s dismembered, violated corpse to a busty blonde in a bikini?

[Alex Murphy]

“How man fingers am I holding up?”

[dfwgator]

Jimmy Hoffa’s fingers are somewhere near Meadowlands Stadium.

Jimmy Conway: Oh, hey, Henry, Henry! Here's an arm!
Henry Hill: Very funny, guys.
Jimmy Conway: Here's a leg!
Tommy DeVito: Here's a wing!
Tommy DeVito: . Hey, what do you like, the leg or the wing, Henry? Or ya still go for the old hearts and lungs?

[houeto]

How did we get from Galileo’s dismembered, violated corpse to a busty blonde in a bikini?

Not exactly sure how that happened, but I like it.