William T. Bovie—a Man Who Sold His Invention Electrocautery for 1 Dollar

A biophysicist by profession, William T. Bovie’s contribution to surgical haemostasis will always be the benchmark in the history of surgery. His invention of electrocautery changed the way surgery was performed and gave new life to all surgical patients by significantly bringing down the postoperative mortality rate. He was selfless and sold the patent of his discovery for 1 dollar for the further betterment of mankind, without any personal financial gain. No wonder he is regarded as the father of electrosurgical devices.