Background
Geddes was born May 24, 1921 in Scotland, and moved with his family to Quebec, Canada at a young age.
Geddes was born May 24, 1921 in Scotland, and moved with his family to Quebec, Canada at a young age.
He held the Bachelor of Surgery and Master of Surgery degrees in Electrical Engineering from McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, and the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Physiology from Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.
He conducted research in electromyography, cardiac output, cardiac pacing, ventricular defibrillation, and blood pressure. He discovered and demonstrated precisely the optimal sites on the chest for defibrillation or pacing. Director of Engineering at Purdue University.
He was awarded a Doctor of Science honoris causa by McGill University in 1971.
He died on October 25, 2009.
He received the award for leadership in biomedical engineering from the Alliance for Engineering in Medicine and Biology (1985). Was elected to the National Academy of Engineering (1985). The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society Career Achievement Award (1986). The Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation Laufman-Greatbatch Award(1987). The Outstanding Educator Award of the American Society for Engineering Education (1989). The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Edison Medal in 1994 for fundamental contributions to applied biomedical instrumentation and the understanding of the electrical properties of the cardiovascular system, and the 2006 National Medal of Technology by President George W. Bush for his contributions to electrode design and tissue restoration.
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers]
Geddes was a member of the American Physiological Society, and was a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. The American Association for the Advancement of Science. The American College of Cardiology.
Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers in Medicine. And the Royal Society of Medicine.
