Who is credited with the invention of the electrocardiograph?

The invention of the electrocardiograph is credited to Willem Einthoven, who was a Dutch physiologist and physician. In the early 1900s, Einthoven developed the first practical method for recording the electrical activity of the heart, which he termed the electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). He created the string galvanometer, a device sensitive enough to measure the small electrical signals generated by the heart. This invention significantly advanced the field of cardiology, allowing for the non-invasive monitoring of heart health and the diagnosis of various cardiac conditions.

Einthoven's work earned him the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1924, highlighting the importance of his contributions to medical science. His techniques and findings laid the foundation for modern electrocardiography, enabling ongoing advancements in cardiovascular diagnostics and treatment.

Other individuals mentioned, such as Albert Einstein, Galileo Galilei, and William Harvey, made significant contributions to science and medicine in their respective fields, but they were not involved in the development of the electrocardiograph.