Maine Direct Current Defibrillator

Maine Direct Current Defibrillator- The reverse (tails) design presents a profile portrait of Dr. Bernard Lown with his direct current defibrillator in operation below.

The edge-incused inscriptions are “2024,” mint mark, and “E PLURIBUS UNUM.”

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2024 Maine American Innovation $1 Coin – Honoring Dr. Bernard Lown and the Direct Current Defibrillator

The 2024 American Innovation $1 Coin representing Maine pays tribute to Dr. Bernard Lown, a pioneering cardiologist whose invention of the direct current defibrillator revolutionized cardiac care and saved countless lives. This coin is part of the American Innovation $1 Coin Program, which celebrates groundbreaking innovations and inventors from each U.S. state and territory.

Dr. Bernard Lown was a Lithuanian-American physician and a trailblazer in the field of cardiology. His research focused on sudden cardiac death, a condition responsible for a significant percentage of fatal heart attacks in the United States. In the early 1960s, Lown recognized the urgent need for a safer and more effective method to treat ventricular fibrillation, a life-threatening heart rhythm disturbance.

In 1962, working in collaboration with engineer Baruch Berkovitz, Dr. Lown developed the direct current (DC) defibrillator, a device that delivered a controlled electrical shock to the heart at a precise moment in the cardiac cycle. This innovation marked a dramatic improvement over earlier alternating current (AC) defibrillators, which were less effective and posed greater risks to patients.

Dr. Lown’s breakthrough came when he successfully administered DC shocks through the chest wall to 11 critically ill patients, restoring normal heart rhythms in all cases. This achievement demonstrated the life-saving potential of the device and laid the foundation for modern cardiac resuscitation techniques.

By 1964, the DC defibrillator was being manufactured by the American Optical Company, and thousands of hospitals across the country had adopted the technology. The device quickly became a standard tool in emergency medicine and cardiac care, transforming the way physicians treated heart rhythm disorders.

The impact of Dr. Lown’s invention extended far beyond the initial device. His work led to the development of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) and modern pacemakers, which are now routinely used to monitor and correct abnormal heart rhythms in patients with cardiovascular disease. These technologies have become essential components of cardiac care worldwide, saving millions of lives and improving patient outcomes.

In addition to his medical innovations, Dr. Lown was a passionate advocate for global health and peace. He co-founded International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, an organization that received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1985. His legacy is one of compassion, scientific excellence, and humanitarianism.

Design Details of the 2024 Maine American Innovation $1 Coin

The obverse (heads) of the coin features a bold and elegant profile of the Statue of Liberty, symbolizing freedom, opportunity, and innovation. This side also includes a privy mark in the shape of a stylized gear, representing the spirit of industry and technological advancement that defines the American Innovation series.

The reverse (tails) design presents a profile portrait of Dr. Bernard Lown, with his direct current defibrillator depicted in operation below. The image captures the essence of his groundbreaking work and its profound impact on medical science. The design is both a tribute to his legacy and a celebration of Maine’s contribution to global health innovation.

The edge-incused inscriptions include:

• “2024” – the year of minting
• Mint mark – indicating the production facility
• “E PLURIBUS UNUM” – Latin for “Out of many, one,” a motto of unity

Why the Maine Innovation Coin Matters

The 2024 Maine American Innovation $1 Coin is more than a numismatic collectible—it’s a tribute to a medical pioneer whose work continues to save lives every day. Dr. Bernard Lown’s invention of the direct current defibrillator represents a milestone in the history of medicine and exemplifies the spirit of innovation that the coin program seeks to honor.

Whether you’re a coin collector, a healthcare professional, or someone passionate about scientific progress, this coin is a meaningful addition to any collection. It commemorates a legacy of ingenuity, compassion, and transformative impact.