From Immigrant to Inventor (ePub)

Michael Idvorsky Pupin, Ph.D., LL.D., (1858-1935) was a Serbian American physicist, electrical engineer, and inventor whose autobiography, 'From Immigrant to Inventor', received the Pulitzer Prize in 1924. Born in Idvor (then part of the Austrian Empire, now in Serbia), Pupin emigrated to the United States in 1874. His journey from a peasant immigrant to a leading scientist and inventor is both an embodiment of the American dream and a testament to perseverance and education. A key figure in the field of telephone and telegraphy, Pupin's most notable contribution is the 'Pupin coil', which vastly improved long-distance telephone communication by reducing attenuation of signals along the wire. He was also a professor at Columbia University where he taught electro-mechanical engineering and was considered a pioneer in X-ray imaging and wireless communication. Pupin's legacy extends beyond his technical achievements; his dedication to the support of science and education is reflected in his active participation in public life and various philanthropic endeavors. His autobiography not only covers his personal achievements and scientific contributions but also provides insights into the cultural and social dynamics of the time, making it an invaluable resource for understanding the development of science and technology during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.