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…
Pancreas transplant first completed at the University of Minnesota
On Dec. 17, 1966, a pancreas transplant was first completed under the direction of Richard C. Lillehei, William…
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…
Microbiologist John Spizizen arrived at the Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation
In 1965, microbiologist John Spizizen arrived at the Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation from the University of Minnesota…
Kurt Amplatz published A Catheter Approach for Cerebral Angiography in Radiology
On Oct. 1, 1963 Kurt Amplatz published A Catheter Approach for Cerebral Angiography in Radiology. Amplatz, M.D., who…
Kurt Amplatz published A New Subclavian Artery Catheterization Technic in Radiology
On Jun. 1, 1962, Kurt Amplatz published “A New Subclavian Artery Catheterization Technic” in Radiology. Amplatz, M.D., who…
Biochemist Frank Huennekens joined the Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation
In 1962, biochemist Frank Huennekens joined the Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation from the University of Washington Medical…
Biochemist Frank Huennekens arrived at the Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation
In 1962, Biochemist Frank Huennekens arrived at the Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation from the University of Washington…
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…
C Walton Lillehei and Dr Richard A DeWall at the University of Minnesota Heart Hospital co-invented a heart-lung machine
In 1958, C. Walton Lillehei and Dr. Richard A. DeWall at the University of Minnesota Heart Hospital co-invent…
Biology | Diagnostics | Disease | Life Science History | Measles | Non-Profit Research | Therapeutics
Mayo Clinic Heritage Hall opened its doors
In 1955, The Mayo Clinic Heritage Hall museum opened in Rochester, Minnesota with a generous gift from John…
Dr C Walton Lillehei performed the world’s first open-heart operation using cross-circulation
On Mar. 26, 1954, Dr. C. Walton Lillehei at the University of Minnesota performed the world’s first open-heart…
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…
The Salk Institute for Biological Studies was founded in LaJolla, California
In 1953, the Salk Institute for Biological Studies was founded in LaJolla, California. For more than a year,…
Drs. Lillehei and Lewis at the University of Minnesota performed the world’s first successful open-heart operation
On Sept. 2, 1952, Dr. C. Walton Lillehei professor of surgery at the University of Minnesota, and colleague…
The Prescription Drug Amendment was signed into law
On Oct. 26, 1951, the Durham-Humphrey Amendment, also known as the Prescription Drug Amendment, was signed into law…
Drs. Edward C Kendall and Philip S Hench at the Mayo Clinic, shared the Nobel Prize in medicine
In 1950, Drs. Edward C. Kendall and Philip S. Hench at the Mayo Clinic, along with Tadeus Reichstein,…
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…
Ancel Keyes, MD founded the University of Minnesota’s Laboratory of Physiologic Hygiene
In 1949, Ancel Keyes, M.D. founded the University of Minnesota’s Laboratory of Physiologic Hygiene for research on physiology,…
A patient at Saint Marys Hospital received the first injection of Compound E (Cortisone) for rheumatoid arthritis
On Sept. 21, 1948, a 28-year-old woman at Saint Marys Hospital (Mayo Clinic) in Rochester, MN received the…
Ancel Keyes, MD wrote on founding the University of Minnesota’s Laboratory of Physiologic Hygiene
Feb 8, 1945, Ancel Keyes, M.D. wrote on the founding of the University of Minnesota’s Laboratory of Physiologic…
Norman Borlaug received his Ph.D. in plant pathology from the University of Minnesota
Norman E. Borlaug received his Ph.D. in plant pathology from the University of Minnesota. Norman E. Borlaug graduated…
Mayo research led to the development of an anti-blackout suit worn by American fliers in World War II
In 1942, The work of Drs. E. J. Baldes, Charles Code, Earl Wood and Ed Lambert at the…
The Hormel Institute was founded
In 1942, The Hormel Institute was founded by Jay C. Hormel in Austin to research and find a…
Dr. Baldes at the Mayo Clinic constructed a human centrifuge
In 1941, Dr. Edward J. Baldes at the Mayo Clinic constructs a human centrifuge to simulate blackout, a…
Collaborators at Mayo Clinic design the BLB mask enabling aviators to fly at high altitudes
In 1941, Drs. Randolph Lovelace, Walter Boothby and Arthur H. Bulbulian at the Mayo Clinic collaborated to design…
Norman E Borlaug graduated from the University of Minnesota with a BS in Forestry
In 1940, Norman E. Borlaug graduated from the University of Minnesota with a BS in Forestry. Dr. Borlaug’s…
Baseball legend Lou Gehrig delivered the famous farewell speech bidding to fans
On Jul. 4, 1939, baseball legend Lou Gehrig delivered the famous speech bidding farewell to the ballpark and…
Smallpox epidemic claimed the lives of 500 Minnesotans
Between 1924-1925, smallpox hit Minnesota and more than five hundred people died – four hundred in the Twin…