Dean Kamen

Dean Kamen
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Name	Dean Kamen
Caption	Kamen in 2010
Birth date	5 April 1951
Birth place	Rockville Centre, New York, U.S.
Occupation	Inventor, entrepreneur, advocate for science and technology
Known for	Segway PT, iBOT, FIRST
Education	Worcester Polytechnic Institute (attended)

Dean Kamen is an American inventor, entrepreneur, and a prominent advocate for science and technology education. He is best known for inventing the Segway PT, a self-balancing personal transporter, and the iBOT mobility system. Through his founding of the FIRST organization, he has profoundly influenced global efforts to inspire young people in engineering and innovation.

Early life and education

Born in Rockville Centre, New York, he demonstrated an early aptitude for technology and invention. His father, Jack Kamen, was an illustrator for EC Comics and *Mad* magazine, fostering a creative environment. He attended Worcester Polytechnic Institute but left before graduating to pursue his own inventive projects, establishing his first company while still a teenager. This early entrepreneurial drive set the stage for a career dedicated to solving complex problems through biomedical engineering and advanced robotics.

Inventions and innovations

His prolific career is marked by groundbreaking medical devices and novel transportation solutions. His first major invention was the AutoSyringe, a wearable infusion pump for delivering precise drug doses, which he later sold to Baxter International. He then founded DEKA Research & Development Corp. in Manchester, New Hampshire, which became his primary innovation laboratory. There, he led the development of the revolutionary iBOT stair-climbing wheelchair and the widely recognized Segway PT. Other significant DEKA projects include the Slingshot water purifier, the Luke Arm prosthesis, and a portable dialysis machine created for Fresenius Medical Care.

FIRST organization

In 1989, he founded FIRST to transform youth culture by making science and technology as accessible and exciting as traditional sports. The initiative's flagship program, the FIRST Robotics Competition, partners student teams with mentors from companies like NASA and Boeing. The organization has since expanded to include the FIRST Lego League and the FIRST Tech Challenge, engaging millions of students worldwide. Major sponsors include the United States Department of Defense, Apple Inc., and the Google Foundation, with events held at venues like the Georgia Dome and Cobo Center.

Awards and recognition

His contributions have been honored with numerous prestigious awards and appointments. He was awarded the National Medal of Technology and Innovation by President Bill Clinton in 2000 and received the Lemelson–MIT Prize in 2002. In 2005, he was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame and has also been presented with the ASME Medal. He holds honorary doctorates from institutions including Kettering University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and the Georgia Institute of Technology. Furthermore, he served on the board of directors for The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.

Personal life and views

He resides in a hexagonal mansion named Westwind in Bedford, New Hampshire, which features a full-sized machine shop and a steam engine collection. A licensed pilot, he owns and flies a Cirrus SR22 aircraft and an Enstrom 480 helicopter. He is a vocal proponent of STEM education and sustainable technology, often advocating for increased investment in engineering through speeches at events like TED. He maintains a private lifestyle, focusing his energy on DEKA and FIRST, and is known for his signature uniform of a denim shirt and Timberland boots.

Category:American inventors Category:American engineers Category:1951 births Category:Living people