Renowned palaeontologist Mary Anning’s story is being revisited in a groundbreaking new book that utilizes artificial intelligence to create never-before-seen images of her younger years. Wolfgang Grulke, a former business leader turned fossil collector, noticed the lack of visual representation of Anning’s early life and decided to fill the gap by using AI software to reimagine her story.
Grulke collaborated with the Lyme Regis Museum and local schools to bring Anning’s youthful discoveries to life in a biography that showcases her groundbreaking work in the field of paleontology. The book, titled ‘She Sold Seashells… and Sea Dragons; the curious Mary Anning re-imagined‘, is set to be released ahead of the Lyme Regis Fossil Festival this weekend.
Using the painting of Anning as a prompt, schoolchildren were involved in the creative process to determine how she may have looked during her formative years. The AI-generated images have not only made Anning’s story more relatable to younger audiences but have also sparked excitement and curiosity among teachers and students alike.
Grulke’s passion for fossils and Anning’s legacy led him to embark on this project, aiming to shed light on the remarkable achievements of a young girl who made groundbreaking discoveries without a formal education. The book not only reimagines Anning’s story but also brings nineteenth-century Lyme Regis to life through AI images.
The Lyme Regis Museum has embraced the project by installing a life-size cardboard cutout of the reimagined AI image in the Mary Anning wing. The book is available for purchase at the museum for £12, offering readers a unique glimpse into the life and work of one of history’s most celebrated paleontologists.