Pacemaker, created in Minnesota, marks 50th birthday
Happy Birthday to the pacemaker, which turns 50 years old today.

By Tim Harlow, Star Tribune
October 31, 2007 – 12:37 PM

A power failure on Oct. 31, 1957 that stretched from St. Cloud to Faribault, Minn. and eastward to Eau Claire, Wis. led to a conversation between University of Minnesota Medical School surgeon Dr. C. Walton Lillehei and Earl Bakken, the founder of Medtronic.

Lillehei asked Bakken to develop a battery back-up for his AC-operated pacemakers.

It took a few weeks, but Bakken created the first wearable, battery-operated external pacemaker. Following tests in University of Minnesota labs, the device was applied to a pediatric heart patient.

Each year, about 300,000 Americans and 900,000 people worldwide receive pacemakers. Since 1962, Medtronic has supplied patients with more than 6 million pacemakers.

 

 

I can't believe no one has posted anything under this post yet. Come on, guys! We wouldn't be here if it weren't for this little marvel of technology...I think we should take a moment and wish the pm a very happy birthday!

Thanks, Blake, for the info. I didn't know that a power failure got the wheels a turnin' of these great minds. Amazing!

God Bless the pacemaker and all its recipients!
ela-girl