Imported Genius

Native-born Americans have given to the world many epochal inventions, of which the late Thomas A. Edison contributed more than any other single individual. But America also owes much of its prestige in invention to the genius of foreign-born immigrants who added luster to its brilliant record. A few of these may be mentioned.

Ericsson, who came from Sweden, invented the Monitor.

Alexander Graham Bell, born in Scotland, later lived in Canada, and as a resident in the United States gave the telephone to the world.

Emile Berliner came from Germany to perfect the telephone and improve the phonograph.

Nikola Tesla from Austria-Hungary invented the induction motor and numerous other epochal electrical devices.

Charles J. Van Depoele from the Netherlands devised the electric street car trolley.

Charles P. Steinmetz, coming from Germany as a poor, deformed immigrant boy, who borrowed money from a fellow passenger in order to obtain admission to the United States, won universal fame as an electrical wizard.

Michael Pupin, a poor immigrant boy from Hungary, made long distance telephony possible.

This by no means exhausts the list of those of foreign birth who developed their great natural talents after coming to the United States, and who became identified with American scientific achievement.