While preparing a talk on Thomas Fogarty, of balloon catheter fame, I stumbled on information about a different gentleman who was a joint winner with Fogarty of the much coveted MIT-Lemelson prize. This person is someone who affects nearly all doctors every day. Indeed, if he had not recently died, I am sure many of us would love to get our hands on him. However, as you read on and discover what a truly remarkable man he was, you may see him and his invention in a different light.

Al Gross was born in …