Castle Frankenstein located near Darmstadt, Germany dates back to the 13th century, and was acquired by the counts of Hessen-Darmstadt in 1662. Mary Shelley probably adopted the name for her novel Frankenstein; before writing the story she had travelled through the region and visited Eberstadt (today a borough of Darmstadt), so the castle could have given her the inspiration.
Castle Frankenstein is where Johann Conrad Dippel (1673-1734) 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 into trouble because of his disputed opinions (and because of money).
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