Idvorski, Mihajlo Pupin was a physicist and scientist who made various breakthroughs that revolutionized science. Due to financial restrictions created by his father’s death, he was forced to leave his educational institution. He did, however, have a strong will strength, which enabled him to restart his studies after a few years away. His return to studies ushered in his scientific career, and he has been involved in a variety of experimental projects since then. He was an excellent student, and his enthusiasm for science enabled him to carry out successful experiments and design helpful inventions. He didn’t want his hard work to be for naught, so he patented all of his significant innovations. Pupin, like most other scientists, was a forerunner who anticipated and anticipated the demands of the masses. As a result, he came up with inventions aimed at raising the overall level of living. He was a true Serb at heart, and he did everything he could to assist Serbs in the United States. He even acted as a diplomat, assisting in the improvement of international ties. Pupin’s innovations were significant, and when the patented rights to them were purchased, he became wealthy. This also aided him in assisting others in need.
Childhood and Adolescence
On October 9, 1858, in Idvor, Serbia, he was born to Olimpijada and Constantine Pupin.
He attended ‘Serbian Orthodox School’ and ‘German Elementary School’ for his elementary education. Later, he enrolled in a Panevo high school, and in 1872, he moved to Prague to finish his education. However, due to financial difficulties, he had to leave Prague after his father died.
A Career of Mihajlo Idvorski Pupin
After abandoning his studies due to financial limitations, he traveled to the United States in March 1874. This scientist’s first days in the United States were arduous. To support himself, he took on several low-wage jobs while also learning new languages.
In 1879, he earned a Bachelor’s degree in arts from the ‘Columbia College,’ and enrolled to complete his education.
In 1883, he received his Bachelor’s degree and became a citizen of the United States.
He subsequently went on to the ‘University of Cambridge’ in England, as well as the ‘University of Berlin’ in Germany, to study Physics and Electrical Engineering.
Pupin finished his Ph.D. dissertation on ‘Osmotic Pressure and Its Relationship to Free Energy’ under the supervision of renowned German physicist Herman von Helmholtz in Berlin.
He began working as a lecturer in the Department of Electrical Engineering at the ‘Columbia College School of Mines’ in 1889. He was appointed to associate professor at the institute not long after.
In 1894, he devised the ‘Pupin coil,’ which increased the range of long-distance telephonic transmission. This idea was patented, and he had gained various exclusive rights to protect it.
This physicist discovered in 1896 that when atoms come into contact with X-rays, they emit secondary X-rays.
The scientist’s discovery of alternating currents was his first ground-breaking effort, and it was a huge success.
In the year 1901, he was appointed as a professor of electro-mechanics at Columbia College, and in the same year, the ‘American Telephone and Telegraph Company’ and a few persons from Germany purchased the patent rights to Pupin’s long distance telephony. The scientist made a lot of money as a result of this.
He was chosen to represent the Kingdom of Serbia in New York in 1911.
He published his autobiography, ‘From Immigrant to Inventor,’ in 1923, for which he got an award the following year.
The Serbian edition of this book, named ‘Od panjaka do nauenjaka,’ was published in 1929. (From pastures to scientist).
He was designated professor emeritus at ‘Columbia University’ in 1931.
He worked on a variety of projects, including forming immigrant organizations and strengthening border relations between Serbia, Yugoslavia, and the United States.
He was also extensively involved with Serb émigrés in the United States, founding and serving as president of the ‘Serbian National Defense Council of America.’
The ‘Serbian Academy of Science,’ the ‘New York Academy of Science,’ and the ‘French Academy of Science’ were all affiliated with Pupin.
His development of the ‘Pupin coil’ was a major breakthrough in science, and it benefited society as a whole by extending the range of long-distance telephonic communication. The ‘American Telephone and Telegraph Company’ bought the patent rights to this idea, making him a millionaire.
He has a long list of inventions to his credit, with over thirty-four of them being patented.
Achievements & Awards
Mihajlo was awarded the ‘IEEE Edison Medal’ in 1920 for his contributions to the fields of mathematical physics.
In 1924, he won the Pulitzer Prize for his autobiography, “From Immigrant to Inventor.”
Personal History and Legacy
He married Sarah Catharine Jackson, a New York native, in 1888. Barbara, the couple’s firstborn child, was born to them.
He had authored a variety of literary works, including articles and scientific hypotheses, throughout his career. ‘The New Reformation’ and ‘Romance of the Machines’ are two of his books.
This eminent scientist passed away in New York on March 12, 1935.
His grave is in the Bronx’s ‘Woodlawn Cemetery.’
The physicist’s name was given to the physical labs building at Columbia University, which is known as ‘Pupin Hall.’
As a monument to his total contribution to the world of research and society, a crater on the moon has been named after this renowned scientist.
Estimated Net Worth
Mihajlo is one of the wealthiest physicists and one of the most well-known physicists. Mihajlo Pupin’s net worth is estimated to be $1.5 million, according to Wikipedia, Forbes, and Business Insider.