Earl Elmer Bakken was born to Florence and Osval Bakken on January 10, 1924.

Earl spends his childhood building inventions including a five-foot-tall robot that talked via remote control, taser-like device to keep bullies away, and a kiss-o-meter to measure the emotional connection of a kiss. He is fascinated by trick photography and model trains.

Age 8: Inspired by the 1931 movie Frankenstein, and the idea of life restoration by electricity.

Told by minister to “use science to benefit humankind, not for destructive purposes.”

Age 18: Earl’s sister Marjorie is born.

Serves as an airborne radar maintenance instructor in Florida during WWII.

Age 24: Earl marries Connie Olson, September 11, 1948.

Earl graduates from the University of Minnesota, December 1948.

Earl’s first company, begins phono/record production with local singer Slim Jim, the Vagabond Kid. One Bakelite record is made.

Age 25: April 29, 1949, Earl Bakken and Palmer Hermundslie form partnership to service medical electronic equipment. Company is called “Medtronic.” First month’s income is eight dollars.

Age 28: Earl’s daughter Wendy is born.

Dr. C. Walton Lillehei at the University of Minnesota Hospital begins operating on “blue babies” born with a heart defect causing poor circulation that gives a bluish tint to the skin.

Age 31: Earl’s son Jeff is born.

Age 33: On October 31, 1957, a blackout in the Twin Cities raises the question of how to ensure a consistent power supply for the treatment of “blue babies.” Dr. Lillehei asks Earl if Medtronic can solve the problem. One month later, Medtronic delivers the first wearable, battery-powered, transistorized cardiac pacemaker.

Age 34: Earl’s son Brad is born.

Medtronic gross sales are $181,000 for the fiscal year 1959-60.

Composes Medtronic Mission Statement.

The Medtronic St. Anthony facility opens. Medtronic’s proprietary line consists of thirteen devices.

Age 38: Earl’s daughter Pamela is born.

Medtronic begins globalization in 1967 by opening a sales office in Amsterdam.

Age 58: Earl marries Doris Marshall at Kona Village Resort on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Helps champion and form Minnesota’s Medical Alley.

Age 61: Medtronic first appears on the Fortune 500.

Helps form the Pavek Museum of Broadcasting.

Age 65: Retires from Medtronic January 10, 1989, his birthday.

Participates in an expedition to Baja, California, to record the electrocardiogram of the California gray whale.

Age 65: Moves to a dreamt-of destination at Kiholo Bay on Hawaii Island.

Begins involvement with the creation of North Hawaii Community Hospital and Friends of the Future.

Age 66: Writes and publishes Reflections on Leadership.

Medtronic sales reach one billion dollars.

Age 70: Retires as a member of the Medtronic Board of Directors.

Founds Five Mountains Hawaii organization for community health improvement on Hawaii Island.

Autobiography: One Man’s Full Life is published.

Age 80: Creates the new field of Heart-Brain Medicine and founds Institute with the Cleveland Clinic.

Granted U.S. Patent No. 7,133,718 for chronobiological pacemaker, along with three other Medtronic scientists.

Medtronic celebrates Fifty Years of Pacing.

Begins construction on new solar array for Kiholo home in Hawaii.

Medtronic 49,000 strong, seventeen billion dollars in sales, reaching ten-and-one-half million patients, and improving a life every three seconds.

Completes second book, Dreaming On With Earl Bakken.

Age 94: Earl E. Bakken died on his beloved Island of Hawaii on October 21, 2018.