75 years of Innovators: Otis Boykin

In the 75 years since Machine Design began publication, here are some of the people who have changed the way we live.

Otis Boykin
Mister Resistor
1920-1982

He also invented a variable resistor that is now used in almost all guided missiles and small, thick-film resistors found in most computers.

Boykin also developed a controller for stimulating the heartbeat in humans, a device now known as the pacemaker. Nearly 200,000 are placed in U.S. patients each year. Boykin's other inventions include a burglar-proof cash register and a chemical air filter. Although several of his earlier inventions and ideas went unpatented, he died with 11 patents to his name.