History of Pacemakers

Events

William Einthoven wins the Nobel Prize for the creation of electrocardiography, starting the process of identifying problems within the heart.

1924

William Einthoven wins the Nobel Prize for the creation of electrocardiography, starting the process of identifying problems within the heart.

Mark C. Lidwill resuscitated a baby in a Sydney hospital, by applying electricity to the heart directly, being the first person to ever do so.

1926

Dr. Albert Hyman invents the first "artificial cardiac pacemaker", that was powered by a hand crank.

1932

Claude Beck, a heart surgeon, successfully defribrillated a human heart for the first time.

1947

John Hopps creates the first external portable pacemaker, that needs to be plugged into powerpoints.

1951

Arne Larsson receives the first fully implanted pacemaker, going on to live another 43 years.

1958

Leon Abrams and Ray Lightwood create the first demand pacemaker, and shortly after the product is commercially available.

1964

The first lithium-ion battery powered pacemaker is installed in an anonymous patient, setting the standard for improve battery life.

1972

Cardiovascular health company, Cordis, release the first series of pacemakers that are programmable through computing chips.

1973

First pacemakers using integrated circuits was created.

1986