Mihajlo Pupin

Serbian-American physicist and inventor whose contributions to telecommunications laid groundwork for modern X-ray and radio technology.

Often overshadowed by contemporaries like Tesla, Mihajlo Pupin (1854–1935) pioneered long-distance telephone communication through his Pupin Coil, which amplified signals and revolutionized global telecom networks. His work earned him the 1924 Pulitzer Prize for Biography.

Born in modern-day Serbia, Pupin immigrated to the U.S. with only five cents in his pocket. He later became a professor at Columbia University, where he developed groundbreaking X-ray imaging techniques during World War I, saving countless soldiers. His patents, licensed to companies like AT&T, funded scholarships for Balkan students—merging science with philanthropy.

Pupin's autobiography, From Immigrant to Inventor, inspired generations of immigrants. A staunch advocate for Yugoslav unity, he leveraged his U.S. influence to promote Balkan independence. Today, Serbia’s highest scientific institution bears his name, cementing his role as a bridge between Eastern Europe and global innovation.