The University of Wisconsin University Research Park was founded
In 1984, the University of Wisconsin University Research Park was founded to encourage technology transfer and create an…
FDA published the first Red Book (successor to 1949 “black book”)
In 1982, the FDA published first Red Book (successor to 1949 “black book”), officially known as Toxicological Principles…
Medtronic established a Heart Valves division
In 1979, Medtronic established a Heart Valves division and introduced the Medtronic Hall mechanical heart valve. This prosthetic…
Computed tomography (CT) was introduced in the U.S.
In June 1973, the first computed tomography (CT) scanner in the U.S. was installed at the Mayo Clinic…
Medtronic annual sales skyrocketed to more than $12 million
In 1968, Medtronic annual sales skyrocketed to more than $12 million, with the company reporting net income in…
Ivan R Sabel founded Capital Orthopedics
In 1968, Ivan R. Sabel founded Capital Orthopedics. In 1986, Colorado-based Sequel Corporation acquired Capital Orthopedics. As President…
Medtronic opened a service center at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport
In 1967, Medtronic opened a service center at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport. Staffed round-the-clock, the Schiphol Depot provided physicians…
Medtronic introduced two “on-demand” pacemakers
In 1967, Medtronic introduced two “on-demand” pacemakers, designed to avoid competition between paced beats and the patient’s own…
Medtronic purchased the patents related to implantable pacemakers from Drs. Greatbatch and Chardack
In 1966, Medtronic purchased the patents related to implantable pacemakers from Drs. Wilson Greatbatch and William Chardack. Building…
Dr. Charles T. Dotter performed the world’s first percutaneous transluminal angioplasty
On Jan. 16, 1964, Dr. Charles T. Dotter at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU), considered the father…
Medtronic relocated its headquarters to St Anthony Village in Minneapolis
In 1961, Medtronic relocated its headquarters to a 15,000-square-foot facility in St. Anthony Village in Minneapolis. The new…
Medtronic signed a contract that provided exclusive rights to produce and market the Chardack-Greatbatch implantable pulse generator
In 1960, Medtronic’s founders read an article about the implantable pulse generator with interest and soon contacted the…
President Dwight Eisenhower signed the National Aeronautics and Space Act
On Jul. 29, 1958, President Dwight Eisenhower signed the National Aeronautics and Space Act, leading to the birth…
Johnsonﾠ & ﾠJohnson established operations in India
In 1957, Johnsonﾠ&ﾠJohnson established operations in India.
Physio-Control was incorporated by Dr. K William Edmark, a Seattle cardiovascular surgeon
On May 29, 1956, Physio-Control was incorporated by Dr. K. William Edmark, a Seattle cardiovascular surgeon, who was…
The Midwest’s first cobalt-beam therapy unit opens for cancer patients at Cook County Hospital
In 1953, The Midwest’s first cobalt-beam therapy unit opens for cancer patients at Cook County Hospital I Chicago,…
Medtronic was founded as a medical equipment repair shop by Earl Bakken and his brother-in-law, Palmer Hermundslie
In 1953, Medtronic was founded as a medical equipment repair shop by Earl Bakken and his brother-in-law, Palmer…
Quinton Instruments was founded by University of Washington biomedical engineer Wayne Quinton
In 1953, Quinton Instruments was founded by University of Washington biomedical engineer Wayne Quinton with the initial focus…
Diagnostics | Environmental | Life Science History | Medical Device | Non-Profit Research | Therapeutics
Founders day at The University of California Radiation Laboratory (Livermore)
On Aug. 26, 1952, Founders Day marks the date that Ernest Lawrence received permission to open up a…
Dr. C. Walton Lillehei performed surgery using the world’s first small, portable, battery-powered pacemaker
In 1950, Dr. C. Walton Lillehei at the University of Minnesota (UMN) performed surgery on Mike Shaw from…
Prosthetic designers gradually replace wood and leather with newer materials
In 1950, Prosthetic designers gradually replaced wood and leather with newer materials. J.E. Hanger of Washington created a…
Ethicon was formed from Johnsonﾠ &ﾠ Johnson’s heritage suture business
In 1949, Ethicon was formed from Johnson ﾠ&ﾠ Johnson’s heritage suture business.
Sandia National Laboratories was founded
Sandia began in 1945 as Z Division, the ordnance design, testing, and assembly arm of Los Alamos National…
Wyckoff and Williams introduced the shadowing of electron microscope specimens
In 1945, scientists Ralph W. G. Wyckoff of the University of Michigan Department of Epidemiology and Robley Williams…
Johnson ﾠ& ﾠJohnson went public on the New York Stock Exchange
In 1944, Johnsonﾠ &ﾠ Johnson went public with a listing on the New York Stock Exchange.
Actress and inventor Hedy Lamarr co-patented a technology called ‘frequency hopping,’ a precursor to wireless communications
On Aug. 11, 1942, Hedy Lamarr, a renown actress and George Antheil , a composer and pianist, co-patented…
Washington University – St Louis received the first cyclotron installed at a US academic medical center
In 1941, Washington University ﾖ St. Louis received the first cyclotron installed at a U.S. academic medical center.
Johnsonﾠ & ﾠJohnson established Ortho Research Laboratories
In 1937, Johnsonﾠ &ﾠ Johnson established Ortho Research Laboratories in Linden, New Jersey, to make women’s health products.
Johnson ﾠ&ﾠ Johnson expanded into Argentina and Brazil
In 1937, Johnson ﾠ&ﾠ Johnson expanded into Argentina and Brazil.
Robert Wood Johnson II assumed leadersip of Johnson ﾠ&ﾠ Johnson company
In 1932, Robert Wood Johnson II, son of the Company founder, began his leadership of Johnson & Johnson….