Created from clear molded epoxy, the Transparent Anatomical Manikin (TAM, for short), was made in 1969 and arrived at the museum in 1970. Made by Richard Rush Studio in Chicago, this manikin was one of approximately 50 made by the studio. Before coming to the museum, TAM first traveled to England to appear in a 1970 scientific documentary about human anatomy called The Body, which is narrated by British actors Vanessa Redgrave and Frank Finlay. The museum’s TAM was photographed and appears on the album Music from The Body, the soundtrack from the documentary. The music was composed and performed by Ron Geesin and Roger Waters, two members of the band, Pink Floyd.

TAM was a groundbreaking exhibit showcasing the complexities of human biology and anatomy. An exhibit from 1970 to the early 1990s, TAM stood on a pedestal and visitors pressed a button to activate the exhibit. Doing so would make TAM rotate on the platform while a recording (recorded by a voice actor impersonating the voice of TAM) described the organs, anatomy, and body systems such as the nervous and digestive systems. Internal lights, strategically inserted within the cavity of TAM, would light up in order as the audio narration described each body system.