Portable Pacemaker, Model 5800

The Portable Pacemaker, Model 5800, is the third iteration of Earl Bakken’s battery-operated pacemaker and the first one available to doctors outside the University of Minnesota. Called the 5800 because it was built in 1958, Earl’s original battery-operated pacemaker was a short-term use device for patients recovering from surgery. However, a year later, a new lead wire was developed, which allowed leads to be permanently attached to the heart, and this device could then be used for long-term pacing management.

Earl didn’t set out to revolutionize how doctors treated chronic cardiac rhythm issues. Instead, he built his device to help a doctor fix one issue he saw in his work. But what started as a solution for a specific problem inspired Earl and others to apply the same ideas and technology behind the battery-operated pacemaker to find other ways to improve human life.

Maker: Medtronic
Date of Creation: 1958-1959

Curator’s Note:

This piece was donated to The Bakken Museum by its founder, Earl Bakken, upon his passing. Our team is preparing pieces of this collection for public access. Keep your eyes out for more sneak peeks over the next few months!