Medtronic was founded in 1949 as a medical equipment repair shop by Earl Bakken and his brother-in-law, Palmer Hermundslie. Both had a deep moral purpose and an inner drive to use their scientific knowledge and entrepreneurial skills to help others. That spirit — combined with the Medtronic founders' personal integrity and passion — became their guiding philosophy and, ultimately, the Medtronic Mission.

Over the years, Medtronic developed additional core technologies, including implantable mechanical devices, drug and biologic delivery devices, and powered and advanced energy surgical instruments. Today, their technologies are used to treat nearly 40 medical conditions.