Dean Kamen is an inventor, an entrepreneur, and a tireless advocate for science and technology. Kamen holds more than 440 U.S. and foreign patents. While still a college undergraduate, he invented the first wearable infusion pump. Kamen was awarded the National Medal of Technology in 2000 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 elected a member of the National Academy of Engineering in 1997. He was awarded the Lemelson-MIT Prize in 2002, and was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in May 2005.
One of Dean’s proudest inventions is FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), an organization dedicated to motivating the next generation to understand, use and enjoy science and technology. Founded in 1989, this year FIRST® will serve more than 1,000,000 young people around the globe via team-based robotics competitions. “The only sport where every kid can go pro”, over 200 leading colleges, universities, and corporations offer scholarships to FIRST Alumni and at least half the Fortune 500 sponsor FIRST teams & competitions.
