Standing on the shoulders of giants: Dean Franklin and his remarkable contributions to physiological measurements in animals

Abstract

The use of electronic instrumentation to monitor physiological function in conscious research animals and humans has become routine. Beyond basic research, animal studies using these methods are required by government regulatory agencies worldwide before human testing of potential new drugs. Living, as we do, in an age of miniaturized high-tech electronic devices, we are accustomed to believing this technology is easy; however, this has not always been the case. While a broad supporting cast of engineers, physiologists, fellows, and technicians was involved, the true innovators were Dr. Robert Rushmer, Dr. Robert Van Citters, and Mr. Dean Franklin. Before Dean Franklin's death in 2007, the primary author recorded approximately 5 h of interviews with him at his home in Columbia, MO. An additional approximate 1.5-h interview was recorded with Dr. Van Citters via telephone. The information contained herein is based on the recollections of these men as recorded in their interviews.