Robert Frank Borkenstein

Robert Frank Borkenstein (August 31, 1912 – August 10, 2002) was an American inventor, researcher, and professor. He is best known for inventing the breathalyzer, a device that is used to detect a person’s alcohol content from their breath.^[1]

Robert F. Borkenstein was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, on August 31, 1912.^[2] He graduated high school during the beginning of the Great Depression, and due to other financial issues and constraints he was unable to continue his education in college. He would find employment working in Fort Wayne as a photographic technician, where he developed an expertise in color film leading to his invention of the color camera.^[2] In 1936, because of his skills and creativity Borkenstein was hired by the Indiana State Police Criminology Laboratory. Rising through the ranks quickly, Borkenstein went from working as a clerk to Captain in charge of Laboratory Services. Throughout his time with the Indiana State Police, he helped improve the use of photography in law enforcement and assisted in the creation of the polygraph machine.^[2]

While working with the Indiana State Police, Borkenstein developed a close professional relationship with Professor Rolla N. Harger of the Indiana School of Medicine.^[2] Hager was working to develop the Drunkometer, which would be the first practical instrument of breath alcohol analysis developed in 1938. However the Drunkometer was complicated and had low reliability, so Borkenstein decided to continue to work and develop a more reliable device. In 1954 Borkenstein created what is commonly known as the Breathalyzer. This version was a more compact, and easier to operate breath test machine, which produced reliable results concerning blood alcohol content.^[2] A revolutionary invention that aided the ability of traffic enforcement officials’ to identify and prosecute drivers under the influence of alcohol. The breathalyzer was commercially produced and adopted in law enforcement agencies throughout the country and world.^[2]

During the 1950s, Borkenstein attended Indiana University on a part-time basis, earning his Bachelor of Arts in Forensic Science in 1958. During the same year as his graduation from IU, he retired from the Indiana State Police and joined the university faculty as Chairman of the Department of Police Administration, a newly established department. A unique program during its time, that also continued to develop during the Borkenstein's tenure.^[2] In 1971, Borkenstein became the director of the IU Center for Studies of Law in Action, which went on to offer a reoccurring "Robert F. Borkenstein Course on Alcohol and Highway Safety: Testing, Research, and Litigation" for forensic science, law enforcement, and criminal justice professionals.^[2] In March 1987 Borkenstein retired, though he continued to hold emeritus titles as both a professor and Director of the Center for Studies of Law in Action.

Borkenstien was an avid researcher and was very respected in his field. One of his most significant research endeavors was the Grand Rapids Study of 1962–1963, the findings of which supported changing the legal blood alcohol content from 0.1 to 0.08. In light of his achievements, Borkenstein was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science by Wittenberg University in 1963 and an Honorary LL.D. from Indiana University in 1987.^[2] Borkenstein was inducted into the Safety and Health Hall of Fame International in 1988.

Borkenstein married Marjorie K. Buchanan in 1938. The couple had no children. Marjorie died in December 1998.^[2] Borkenstein died on August 10, 2002, at the age of 89.^[1]

• Robert Frank Borkenstein Archived 2017-10-04 at the Wayback Machine at Breathalyzer.org
• Robert F. Borkenstein Papers