Did You Know that Otis Boykin invented the Cardiac Pacemaker?

(August 29, 1920, Dallas, Texas – March 13, 1982, Chicago, Illinois)

Boykin was an African-American inventor and engineer, who patented 28 electronic devices. One of his early inventions was an improved wire resistor. 

Other notable inventions include a variable resistor used in guided missiles.

His most famous invention was  a control unit for the artificial cardiac pacemaker.  The device essentially uses electrical impulses to maintain a regular heartbeat.