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. 2008;35(2):174-8.

Einthoven's string galvanometer: the first electrocardiograph

Moises Rivera-Ruiz  1 , Christian Cajavilca, Joseph Varon
Affiliations

Einthoven's string galvanometer: the first electrocardiograph

Moises Rivera-Ruiz et al. Tex Heart Inst J. 2008.

Abstract

Willem Einthoven (1860--1927), known as the creator of the electrocardiograph, won a Nobel Prize in 1924 for his contributions to the field of electrocardiography. He was dedicated to research and learning. In developing the electrocardiograph, Einthoven built on the work of earlier physiologists who had studied the electrical mechanisms of the heart. Each earlier invention proved important by contributing concepts and knowledge that would shape Einthoven's device. Herein, we review the history of the electrocardiograph, with a focus on Willem Einthoven's quest to make the device a practical clinical instrument in the diagnosis of cardiac abnormalities.

Keywords: Cardiology/history; Einthoven W; Nobel Prize; electrocardiography/history/instrumentation; electrophysiology/history/instrumentation; heart diseases/diagnosis/history; history, 19th century; history, 20th century; portraits as topic; technology, medical/history.

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Figures

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Fig. 1 The capillary electrometer designed by Gabriel Lippmann.
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Fig. 2 Willem Einthoven.
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Fig. 3 Waves obtained by A.D. Waller (top); waves obtained by Einthoven with his improved capillary electrometer (middle); electrocardiographic tracing by use of the string galvanometer (bottom).
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Fig. 4 Einthoven's string galvanometer, from his 1906 paper “Le Télécardiogramme.”
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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MeSH terms

Personal name as subject