Dr. Henry Heimlich was a surgeon and medical pioneer whose namesake innovation, the Heimlich maneuver, has been utilized to save countless lives.

Heimlich discovered the procedure by accident in 1973, while experimenting with airway obstruction on an anesthetized beagle.

He would go on to demonstrate the technique on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, on Carson himself. Heimlich also appeared on Late Night with David Letterman and he served as a consultant on the series H.E.L.P! — Dr. Henry's Emergency Lessons for People.

Heimlich was married to Jane Murray, daughter of dance studio entrepreneur Arthur Murray. he was also the uncle of actor Anson Williams, known for playing the role of Warren "Potsie" Weber on the long-running TV comedy Happy Days.

He died December 17, 2016, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was 96.