earl bakken’s legacy

In October 2018, Earl Bakken passed away at the age of 94, having lived a long life as an inventor, innovator, and source of inspiration for many in his home of Minnesota and around the world. He left behind a legacy of inspiration through his work, the museum he founded, and the collections he built for all to have access to.

As part of this legacy, Earl left a large collection of materials to the museum he founded. With the creation of the Earl Bakken Legacy Collection, visitors and researchers now have a fuller look into Earl’s life and legacy. With support from a Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Grant, The Bakken Museum has finished processing over 1,100 objects and papers, which are now available to the public.

This collection is now open to the public! You can explore the more-than-1,100 pieces.

VIEW THE COLLECTION

Visit earlbakken.com for more information about Earl’s life.

“Earl Bakken asked that the items that inspired him throughout his life be given to the Bakken Museum at the time he passed on. He dreamed that the story woven by the Bakken Museum through the objects and information would continue to inspire many new generations to create and invent in a way that will continue to help humankind and improve the world.”

— Georgine Busch, Bakken Family Office, LLC, Treasurer & Secretary

FROM THE EARL BAKKEN LEGACY COLLECTION

Featured Items

The Earl Bakken Legacy Collection

After over 1,100 entries, the Earl Bakken Legacy Collection is complete. The many hours I spent working on sorting, organizing, and recording the materials in this collection flew by. I learned so much about Earl, especially semi-retired Earl, who couldn’t stop working to help people feel and be their best.

Geode Heart

While science is often about looking forward, it’s also important to reflect on the past. And sometimes, an item can serve as a reminder to pause and remember how far we’ve come.

Whale EKG Reading

Whale EKG Reading from The Bakken Museum’s artifact collection in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Made by Earl Bakken, Dr. Frits Meijler, His Royal Highness Prince Bernhard, Dr. Hein Wellens, Ken Brennanl Bakken, Dr. Frits Meijler, His Royal Highness Prince Bernhard, Dr. Hein Wellens, Ken Brennan

Earl Bakken’s Doctor Bag

Often, Earl Bakken was asked to speak about what had inspired his life of innovating. For many of these talks, he brought along this leather bag filled with the things he thought most important to share.

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.

This publication was made possible in part by the people of Minnesota through a grant funded by an appropriation to the Minnesota Historical Society from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Any views, findings, opinions, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the State of Minnesota, the Minnesota Historical Society, or the Minnesota Historic Resources Advisory Committee.