As of this date, biomedical engineering has become a recognized profession. The full impact of its efforts in the health related fields is just becoming visible to the leaders of the health delivery systems. As a profession it differs markedly from traditional engineering disciplines; however, that is the reason it has come into being. The demand for individuals well trained in the biomedical engineering sciences appears to be insatiable. This is due to the belated recognition by many members of the health delivery system hierarchy of the true role and contribution of the well-trained biomedical engineer. This article discusses the sociological and technological factors that have been influencial in the establishment of the science of biomedical engineering.