Earl Bakken

Earl Bakken was an influential electrical engineer and inventor who co-founded Medtronic, a leading medical technology company. He is best known for developing the first portable, transistorized external pacemaker in the 1950s, revolutionizing heart care by allowing patients to receive life-sustaining electrical shocks outside hospitals. Bakken's innovative work combined engineering and medicine, significantly improving device safety, reliability, and accessibility. His contributions laid the foundation for modern implantable pacemakers and advanced medical electronics, making him a key figure in improving patient outcomes and advancing healthcare technology.