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Found 125 Stories
Earl Bakken working inside the Medtronic Garage, c 1955.
Places of Invention

Much More than a Garage, a Place of Invention

Like more famous garages in Silicon Valley that begat Apple and Hewlett Packard, the former 800-square-foot garage in Minneapolis served as a convenient, no-rent location for Palmer Hermundslie and Earl Bakken to found Medtronic in 1949.

Medical Alley MN poster
Beyond Words

Podcast: Historian David Rhees Tours the "Medical Alley" Hot Spot

How did Minnesota spawn a world-class cluster of medical device companies?

Clifton Poodry
Beyond Words

Podcast: Clifton Poodry is Fostering Greater Diversity in Science

Clifton Poodry draws on his Native American heritage to support aspiring scientists.

A stylized drawing of a compact fluorescent light bulb surrounded by a solid orange circle with a green border
Invention Stories

Akhil Madhani: Literally on the Cutting Edge of Robotics

"Engineers have to invent things, because that's their job, to develop something as a solution to a problem."

The Jarvik artificial heart
Beyond Words

Podcast: Robert Jarvik's Inventions Keep on Pumping

In this interview, Robert Jarvik donates his work to the Smithsonian and we examine an early artificial heart that preceded Jarvik's inventions.

Inventor Sharon Rogone looking at a premature baby in a hospital bed
Beyond Words

Podcast: Sharon Rogone Invents for Preemies, Part 2 (of 2)

Sharon Rogone, a neonatal nurse-turned-inventor, talks about her inventions and how they help preemies.

Inventor Sharon Rogone looking at a premature baby in a hospital bed
Beyond Words

Podcast: Sharon Rogone Invents for Preemies, Part 1 (of 2)

Sharon Rogone, a neonatal nurse-turned-inventor, talks about her first invention and why she started to invent.

The Jarvik artificial heart
Beyond Words

Podcast: Robert Jarvik Mends Broken Hearts

Artificial heart pioneer Robert Jarvik talks about his career helping those with failing hearts.

Ashok Gadgil, 1998
Beyond Words

Podcast: Ashok Gadgil Inspires Future Inventors, Part 2 (of 2)

Ashok Gadgil talks about his work to improve health in the developing world.

Ashok Gadgil, 1998
Beyond Words

Podcast: Ashok Gadgil's Thirst to Save Lives, Part 1 (of 2)

Ashok Gadgil's invention can save thousands of lives by purifying water quickly and cheaply.

Gertrude Elion, 1991
Beyond Words

Podcast: Gertrude Elion Inspires Others, Part 2 (of 2)

Nobel Prize winner Getrude Elion inspired others to follow in her inventive footsteps.

Gertrude Elion, 1991
Beyond Words

Podcast: Gertrude Elion Opens Doors, Part 1 (of 2)

Nobel Prize winner Getrude Elion opened doors for women in the field of medical research.

Wilson Greatbatch
Beyond Words

Podcast: Wilson Greatbatch Makes Hearts Beat

Wilson Greatbatch speaks from the heart about inventing the implantable cardiac pacemaker.

Invention Stories

Innovative Lives: The Right To Sight: Patricia Bath

Trailblazer Dr. Patricia Bath invented the Laserphaco Probe for the treatment of cataracts and continues to passionately fight for the prevention, treatment, and cure of blindness.

A stylized drawing of a compact fluorescent light bulb surrounded by a solid orange circle with a green border
Symposia & Conferences

Living with Technology, Inside and Out

Over the last couple of years, the Lemelson Center has been looking at the variety of means invention mediates the interface between human beings and environment.

Wilson Greatbatch
Invention Stories

Innovative Lives: Making Hearts Beat: Wilson Greatbatch

Meet Wilson Greatbatch, a prolific American inventor who developed the first successful implantable cardiac pacemaker that has saved millions of lives. "Don't fear failure. Don't crave success. The reward is not in the results, but rather in the doing."

Ashok Gadgil, 1998
Invention Stories

Innovative Lives: UV Waterworks—Ashok Gadgil

Ashok Gadgil invented a portable, low-cost, and efficient water purifier that utilizes ultra-violet light to render viruses and bacteria harmless.

Logo for the Modern Inventors Documentation database, showing a stylized head with words like creativity and innovation written on different parts of the brain
Archives

Shriners Hospital Patient Isolation Unit Records, 1956-1981 (bulk 1969-1972)

Inventor Name Maley, Matthew Repository Archives CenterNational Museum of American HistorySmithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.202-633-3270https://americanhistory.si.edu/archives

MIND database logo for non-Smithsonian archival materials
Archives

Dr. Irvin M. Borish Papers, 1939-1996

Inventor Name Borish, Irvin M.

Logo for the Modern Inventors Documentation database, showing a stylized head with words like creativity and innovation written on different parts of the brain
Archives

Maurice J. Meynier, M.D., Papers

Inventor Name Meynier, Maurice J. Repository Houston Academy of Medicine-Texas Medical Center LibraryJohn P. McGovern Historical Collections and Research Center1133 John Freeman Blvd.Houston, Texas 77030713-799-7145

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