Earl Bakken

Earl Elmer Bakken was an influential American engineer, inventor, and businessman. He is best known for his work in medical technology. Bakken founded the company Medtronic, which became a leader in the medical field. His most significant invention was the first wearable, battery-operated, transistorized pacemaker. This device changed how doctors treated patients with heart problems. Bakken's career combined his deep knowledge of electrical engineering with a desire to help people live healthier lives.

Bakken's interest in electricity began during his childhood in Columbia Heights, Minnesota. He was fascinated by how electricity could interact with medicine. He was even inspired by the novel and film version of Frankenstein. This story sparked his curiosity about the connection between science and the human body. He pursued this interest by studying at the University of Minnesota. He earned a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering in 1948. He later obtained a Master's degree with a minor in mathematics from the same university.

In the 1950s, medical technology was changing rapidly. Hospitals were beginning to use electronic equipment for the first time. However, most hospitals did not have staff trained to maintain or repair these tools. Bakken saw an opportunity to fill this need. He teamed up with his brother-in-law, Palmer Hermundslie, to form a company. They named it Medtronic. This name is a portmanteau, which is a blend of the words "medical" and "electronic." They started their business in a small garage.

At that time, doctors like C. Walton Lillehei were performing life-saving surgeries on children. These children often had a condition known as blue baby syndrome. After surgery, these patients required a pacemaker to help their hearts function. The pacemakers available in the 1950s were very large. They required heavy carts to move around. Most importantly, they had to be plugged into wall outlets for power. This reliance on wall current created a dangerous risk for patients.

A major turning point occurred on October 31, 1957. A power blackout happened, which caused a young patient to die because their pacemaker lost power. Dr. Lillehei asked Bakken to find a solution to this problem. Bakken searched for a way to create a steady electrical beat. He found a circuit diagram for a metronome in a magazine called Popular Electronics. A metronome is a device that keeps a steady rhythm. Using this idea, Bakken built a transistorized pacemaker. It was powered by a battery and was only about the size of a few decks of cards.

After testing his handmade device in a laboratory, Bakken created a refined model. He was surprised to find that the device was already being used on a patient the very next day. Over the following years, Medtronic worked with doctors to develop fully implantable pacemakers. The company faced many challenges during this growth. Medtronic actually came close to bankruptcy. Bakken had to borrow money to keep the company running. This difficult period led him to develop the Medtronic Mission. This mission helped the company stay focused on helping patients.

Bakken retired from Medtronic in 1989. He moved to a 9-acre estate in the Kona District of Hawaii. He named his home Bakken Hale. Even in retirement, he remained connected to his work. He traveled back to the company several times a year. He enjoyed meeting new employees and explaining the Medtronic Mission to them in person. He also cared about community health. In 1996, he helped dedicate the North Hawaii Community Hospital. He worked to combine Eastern and Western medical approaches to create holistic healthcare.

Earl Bakken's legacy continues through both his company and his personal contributions to science. In 2001, Medtronic began building a large European distribution center in Heerlen, The Netherlands. The street where this facility is located is named after him. Bakken also founded The Bakken, a museum in Minneapolis dedicated to medical science and electricity. The museum includes a large display about Frankenstein. Bakken lived to be 94 years old. He died at his home in Hawaii on October 21, 2018. His work remains a vital part of modern medicine.