Earl E. Bakken (bioengineer)

Earl E. Bakken was a pioneering bioengineer and inventor best known for co-founding Medtronic, a global medical device company. He developed the first wearable external pacemaker in the 1950s, revolutionizing cardiac care by allowing patients to receive life-saving electrical stimulation outside of hospitals. Bakken's innovation significantly advanced cardiac health treatment, enabling mobility and improved quality of life for many patients with heart rhythm issues. His work exemplifies the impactful intersection of engineering and medicine, laying the foundation for modern implantable devices and wearable health technology.