From Immigrant to Inventor: The Life Of Michael Pupin: X-Rays, NASA, and Serbian Nationalism

WINNER OF THE PULITZER PRIZE "From Immigrant to Inventor" by Michael “Mihajlo” Pupin is the Pulitzer-prize winning autobiography that tells the remarkable story of Pupin's journey from impoverished immigrant to renowned inventor, scientist, physicist and philanthropist. Born in a small village in Serbia, Pupin immigrated to the United States as a young man and faced numerous challenges as he worked to make a better life for himself. Despite facing discrimination and poverty, Pupin was driven by a fierce determination to succeed and used his natural intelligence and curiosity to excel in his studies. Alongside Nikola Tesla and Milutin Milanković, Pupin was the third scientist of Serbian origin born in the 19th century whose scientific achievements in technical sciences placed him on the list of 100 most influential scientists of all time. over the course of his remarkable life, Pupin made significant contributions to the field of physics and was awarded numerous patents for his inventions. He is perhaps best known for his work on the development of X-ray technology, in which he was the first person to use a fluorescent screen to enhance X-rays for medical purposes. His work revolutionized the field of medicine and changed the way we understand and treat illness. Pupin likewise greatly extended the range of long-distance telephone communications by placing loading coils of wire at predetermined intervals along the transmitting wire (known as "pupinization"). He even went on to found the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), which later became NASA. As a philanthropist and Orthodox Christian, Pupin would likewise go on to advocate for Serbian Nationalism and would prove critical in defining borders of the future Yugoslavia. In "From Immigrant to Inventor," Pupin shares the inspiring tale of his journey from humble beginnings to a life of achievement and success. Through his perseverance and hard work, he became a role model for immigrants and aspiring inventors everywhere, proving that with dedication and determination, anything is possible.