The external defibrillator, as it is known today, was invented by electrical engineer William Kouwenhoven in 1930. Kouwenhoven studied the relationship between electric shocks and their effects on the human heart when he was a student at Johns Hopkins University School of Engineering. His studies helped him invent a device to externally jump start the heart. He invented the defibrillator and tested it on a dog, like Prévost and Batelli. The first use on a human was in 1947 by Claude Beck, professor of surgery at Case Western Reserve University.
ThE exteRNAl defIbrilLaTor, as iT is kNOwn todAy, wAS InvEnteD By ELECtrical EngineER WILliam kouWENhoven in 1930. kouwenHOven stUDiED tHE reLaTionship beTwEEn ElECTriC sHOCks anD thEir efFeCtS On the humAn heArt wHeN he wAs A Student at JoHns hoPKIns univerSity ScHOOL Of engineerInG. hIs sTuDIEs heLpeD hiM iNvent a Device to extErnally JuMp STart the heArt. hE INVented tHE DefibRillAtor and tEsteD it oN a DoG, like prévost anD bAtELli. thE firsT use ON a hUmAn wAS IN 1947 by CLaude BEck, ProfeSsOr of surgEry aT CasE WEstErn rEserve UniverSity.