Dean's Lecture: Dean Kamen
Dean Kamen is an inventor, an entrepreneur, and a tireless advocate for science and technology. His roles as inventor and advocate are intertwined—his own passion for technology and its practical uses has driven his personal determination to spread the word about technology's virtues and by so doing to change the culture of the United States.
As the founder of DEKA Research and Development Corporation, Kamen led development of technologies for health and human mobility, including HomeChoiceTM peritoneal dialysis system (developed for Baxter International Inc.), the HydroflexTM surgical irrigation pump (developed for C.R. Bard), the CrownTM stent, an improvement to the original Palmaz-Schatz stent (for Johnson & Johnson), the iBOTTM mobility device, and the Segway® Human Transporter. Kamen also founded FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) in 1989, an organization dedicated to motivating the next generation to understand, use and enjoy science and technology. This year, FIRST® will serve more than 1,000,000 young people, ages 6 to 18, in more than 86 countries around the globe.
Kamen was awarded the National Medal of Technology in 2000 by President Clinton, in recognition for inventions that have advanced medical care worldwide, and for innovative and imaginative leadership in awakening America to the excitement of science and technology. Kamen was also elected a member of the National Academy of Engineering in 1997, awarded the Lemelson-MIT Prize in 2002, and was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in May 2005.