Earl E. Bakken

Biographical & Career Information
Earl E. Bakken, M.D., Hon. C., Hon. D. Sc. (3), Hon. D.H.L. (2), F.A.C.C. Hon., F.I.C.S. Hon., F.I.E.E.E., F.I.S.A.

Born in 1924 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Earl was educated in the Columbia Heights, MN, public schools. He served four years in the United States Army Signal Corp as a Staff Sergeant and Airborne radar instructor until 1946 when he was honorably discharged and enrolled at the University of Minnesota.  After earning a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering degree in 1948, Earl studied electrical engineering with a minor in mathematics at the University of Minnesota.

In 1949, Earl Bakken co-founded Medtronic with Palmer J. Hermundslie in a small garage in Northeast Minneapolis. Starting as a repair service for medical electronic equipment the first month’s revenue was eight dollars.  Then, on October 31, 1957, a power outage in the Twin Cities caused the death of a child who was dependent on an AC-operated pacemaker. Dr. C. Walton Lillehei, noted cardiac surgeon, asked Bakken to devise a battery-operated pacemaker to prevent further loss of life, and four weeks later the prototype was in use for the world’s first battery-operated, transistorized, external, wearable pacemaker. This milestone marked the beginning of the biomedical technology industry in Minneapolis and led to the start of long-term pacing for patients around the world.

Bakken was Medtronic’s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board from its incorporation in 1957 until 1976. He was Senior Chairman of the Board through 1989 and retired from the Board in August 1994.  As Founder and Director Emeritus, Earl remained active in company relationships involving customers and employees, focusing primarily on the company’s mission, which he penned in 1960 and remains unchanged to this day. Medtronic, Inc. is a global leader in medical electronic technology, and as of 2018, employed 86,000 people in 150 countries, with annual revenues of more than $30 billion.

In 1975 he founded The Bakken Museum in Minneapolis, a non-profit library, museum, and education center devoted to the history of electricity and magnetism, and their uses in medicine and the life sciences. The Bakken's collection of rare books and antique instruments and devices has grown to be the finest of its kind in the world. The education programs of The Bakken are renowned for their integration of hands-on learning, history, and the arts. In 2016, The Bakken Museum adopted a new mission focusing on inspiration and innovation. Today, the museum’s exhibits explore the intersection of science, technology, and the humanities.

He was also instrumental in founding the Pavek Museum of Broadcasting, which presents and preserves the history of broadcasting, especially in Minnesota. With one of the finest collections of antique radio, television, and broadcast equipment in the world, the museum has gained international recognition for its continuing efforts to preserve and document the history of an industry that has made monumental changes in the fabric of modern life.

Culminating his long interest in the mind-body connection and holistic healthcare, he also created a new field of medicine with the founding of the Earl and Doris Bakken Heart-Brain Institute at Cleveland Clinic, which promoted research and education related to heart-brain interactions in order to discover new treatments and cures for cardiovascular and nervous system disorders that treat the patient as a whole.

In retirement, Bakken worked actively to nourish and support a broad range of philanthropic organizations in Minnesota, Hawaii, and the nation.

Earl E. Bakken died on October 21, 2018, at the age of 94.

• Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree from the University of Missouri, St. Louis, 2008

• M.D. Honorary Causa, University of Minnesota Medical School, 2007

• Honorary Degree of Humane Letters Degree, University of Hawaii at Hilo, 2004

• Honorary Doctor of Science Degree, Albany College of Pharmacy, 1995

• Honorary Doctor of Science Degree, Tulane University, 1988

• Honorary Doctor of Science Degree, University of Minnesota, 1988

• Bachelor of Electrical Engineering Degree, University of Minnesota, 1948

• Past President, Board of Directors, Five Mountains Hawaii

• Past President, Board of Directors, North Hawaii Community Hospital

• Chairman, Board of Directors, The Bakken Museum

• Member, Board of Directors, Pavek Museum of Broadcasting

• Vice Chairman, Board of Directors, Friends of the Future, Hawaii

• University of Minnesota Medical School, Dean's Board of Visitors

• Board of Members, Children's Heart Fund

• Honorary Board of Trustees, Science Museum of Minnesota

• Member, Visiting Board of the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center School of Nursing, Denver, Colorado (under Dr. Jean Watson's deanship), 1985–1990

• Director Emeritus, Board of Directors, Medtronic, Inc.

• Past Chairman, Board of Directors, Archaeus Project

• Member Emeritus, Board of Directors, LifeScience Alley (formerly Medical Alley)

• Member, University of Hawaii at Manoa, School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene Advisory Board

• Member, Society of Heart-Brain Medicine, 2007

• Honorary Fellow, Biomedical Engineering Society, 2005

• Honorary Member, Medical Staff of North Hawaii Community Hospital, 2004

• Honorary Member, Will C. Sealy Surgical Society, 2004

• Honorary Fellow, Heart Rhythm Society (formerly NASPE)

• Honorary Fellow, International College of Surgeons, 1993

• Honorary Fellow, American College of Cardiology, 1991

• Member, National Academy of Engineering, 1990

• Fellow, Bakken Society, Medtronic

• Fellow, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

• Fellow, Instrument Society of America

• Member, American Antiquarian Society

• Member, Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation

• University of Minnesota renames two centers in honor of Earl's support and his field-shaping legacy — the Earl E. Bakken Medical Devices Center and the Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing. July 2017

• Fridley Hall of Fame, Fridley Historical Society. November 2015

• Elevated to rank of Alii 6th Degree, Royal Order of Kamehameha I, Moku O Kohala. October 2015

• AdvaMed (Advanced Medical Technology Association) Lifetime Achievement Award for contributions and accomplishments in making significant advancements for the medical technology industry, its employees, and its patients. October 2014

• Knighted and inducted into The Order of Saint John, founded in Jerusalem in 1023, a major international humanitarian charity whose organizations provide first aid, healthcare, and support services in over forty countries around the world. July 2014

• The University of Minnesota Cardiac Arrhythmia Center acknowledges with gratitude, Dr. Earl E. Bakken and Family, for long-standing and ongoing generosity in support of the Cardiac Arrhythmia Center. May 2013

• The Columbia Heights Public School System fifth annual Alumni of Achievement Award to Earl E. Bakken, 1942 graduate of Columbia Heights High School — for his significant accomplishments in professional achievement and service to the community. August 2012

• The Redding, California Cardiovascular Center's First Ever Lifetime Achievement Award – to Earl Bakken for his pioneering achievements in cardiology and medical innovation. April 2012

• Association for Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI), Advancing Safety in Medical Technology Leadership and Achievement Award, presented to Earl E. Bakken in recognition of his more than sixty years of leadership and achievement in the field of medical technology (one of only six of these awards ever given). August 2011

• Heart Rhythm Society, Restoring the Rhythm of Life Award, presented by Dr. Doug Packer, Chief of Cardiology, Mayo Clinic, "In Recognition of More than Fifty Years of Improving the Lives of Patients Globally Through the Application of Medical Technology." February 2011

• The first Spirit of the Center Award presented on the fifteenth anniversary of the University of Minnesota Center for Spirituality and Healing, in honor of Earl Bakken's lifelong demonstration of the five qualities that embody the Spirit of the Center: Courage, Curiosity, Compassion, Tenacity, and Vision. December 2010

• Mended Hearts Dwight Emary Harken Award for excellence in the field of cardiovascular medicine. To Earl Bakken, a pioneer visionary and leader whose contributions to cardiovascular science and medicine have saved – and improved the quality of life of – millions of patients. May 2010

• Minnesota Medical Association James H. Suva Memorial Award presented to Earl Bakken for outstanding achievement in medicine by a lay person. September 2009

• Rotary District 5000 Family of Rotary Recipient Earl Bakken for his dedication and service above self. Presented by the Rotary Club of North Hawaii. July 2009

• American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, Contribution to Reforming American Healthcare Through Innovative Thinking and a Personal Desire to Improve Quality of Life Award, Transforming Healthcare Summit, Washington, D.C. June 2009

• Minnesota Innovation Hall of Fame for invention of the first transistorized, wearable battery-operated cardiac pacemaker. The Hall of Fame was created to honor true heroes of Minnesota, individuals whose achievements in science and technology have made lasting contributions to the world. October 2008

• Lighting Our Way Award, for inspirational leadership through a life of service to the people of Hawaii and the world, Pacific Buddhist Academy. September 2008

• Visionary Caring Science Award for Transformation of Nursing and Healthcare, Dr. Jean Watson and the Watson Caring Institute, Mauna Lani Resort. July 2008

• Pavek Museum of Broadcasting Hall of Fame, Distinguished Service Award. 2007

• NCVH Lifetime Achievement Award presented at the Seventh Annual New Cardiovascular Horizons conference of the Cardiovascular Institute of the South, New Orleans. First non-physician recipient of this award. September 2007

• Tsinghua University Alumni Association of Minnesota. 2006

• Received U.S. Patent No. 7133718. Describes a method to increase heart rate variability in a pacemaker for individuals whose heart rate variability is low. Co-Patent Holders: Rebecca Bergman, William Combs, and Toby Markowitz. December 2006

• Celebrated on the Wall of Legends at the University of Minnesota for his hand-drawn schematic of the world's first battery-operated, transistorized, wearable cardiac pacemaker. Celebrated along with other discoveries, inventions, and creations of alumni and faculty that have brought significant changes to the world. December 2006

• Distinguished Fellow for Life Award, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation 1921 Society, for extraordinary contributions of service and resources to advance the mission of The Cleveland Clinic. 2005

• Title of Alii Kahuna Laau Lapaau and honorary membership, The Royal Order of Kamehameha I, Kiholo Bay. 2005

• Title of Alii Nui (High Chief), conferred by Danny Akaka, Kauila Clark, Ski Kwiatkowski, Pomai Bertelmann, and Chadd Paishon, Native Hawaiian leaders and teachers. A traditional hand-carved fish hook, or makau, was presented to acknowledge extraordinary leadership and strength. 2005

• Lillehei Heart Institute Lifetime Achievement Award, University of Minnesota. 2004

• Honorary Fellow, American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering. February 2004

• Innovator's Award, Phoenix Medical Device Conference. October 2003

• Kakoo ia Kalanianaole Award, Outstanding Non-Hawaiian for Service to the Hawaiian Community, Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs. 2002

• Trailblazer Award, Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine. May 2002

• Leland R. Kaiser Founder's Award from the Association of Healing HealthCare Projects. 2001

• Russ Prize for achievements in bioengineering, National Academy of Engineering. February 2001

• Outstanding Philanthropist of the Year, National Philanthropy Society - Aloha (Hawaii) Chapter. 2000

• Tekne Lifetime Achievement Award, Minnesota High Technology Association. November 2000

• Living Treasure of Hawaii Award, Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii. 1999

• International Milestone of Electrical Engineering, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. October 1999

• Gold Medal, European Society of Cardiology. June 1999

• NASPE (Heart Rhythm Society) Pioneering Award for Contributions to the Fields of Cardiac Pacing and Electrophysiology. June 1999

• Innovator Award, Texas Heart Institute. 1998

• American Heart Association, West Hawaii Division Hall of Fame. 1998

• Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) Foundation Laufman-Greatbatch Prize. 1998

• Special Award, Cardiostim 1998, 20th Anniversary for Engineers and Industry Founders. June 1998

• American Creativity Association Lifetime Creative Achievement Award. 1996

• American Heart Association, Hawaii, Heart Ball Honoree. 1996

• Minnesota High Technology Council Lifetime Achievement Award. March 1996

• Minnesota Inventors Hall of Fame. 1995

• Special Service Award, Richard Smart Big Island Community Achievement, Waimea, Hawaii. 1995

• Eli Lilly Award in Medical and Biological Engineering, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. 1994

• Entrepreneur of the Year, Minnesota Entrepreneur's Club. 1993

• Enterprise Award, Minnesota Technology, Inc. 1993

• A Salute to Founders, Institute of Technology at University of Minnesota. 1992

• Lifetime Achievement Award, Entrepreneur of the Year Institute, 1991

• The Steersman Award for creativity which led to the field of Cyberphysiology, Archaeus Project. 1990

• Officer in the Order of Orange-Nassau (Royal decoration, The Netherlands). 1989

• "Night and Day" sculpture presented by the Bakken Fellows to Earl Bakken as a symbol of his inspiration, which is inextricably linked to the fourth dimension: time. 1989

• Medtronic Cardiostim Tenth Anniversary Award – in recognition of his many contributions to the pacemaker industry. 1988

• Achievement Award, Leadership in the Business Application of Science and Technology, Science Museum of Minnesota. 1988

• Governor's Award For Medical Leadership, Medical Alley (now LifeScience Alley). 1988

• Outstanding Minnesotan of the Year, Minnesota Broadcasters Association. 1988

• Centennial Medal, College of St. Thomas (now University of St. Thomas). 1986

• Distinguished Service Award, North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology (now Heart Rhythm Society). 1985

• Centennial Medal, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. 1984

• Engineering for Gold Award, National Society of Professional Engineers, honoring the cardiac pacemaker as one of the ten most outstanding engineering achievements in the previous fifty years. 1984

• Med-Tech Outstanding Achievement Award. 1984

• Outstanding Achievement Award (highest alumni achievement), University of Minnesota. 1981

• Medtronic Author's Award. 1979

• Minnesota Business Hall of Fame. 1978

• Enterprise Award, Minnesota Technology, Inc.