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Jun 6, 20222 min read

"The Father of Fiber Optics" - Narinder S. Kapany

By Solomon Blecher '25


Narinder S. Kapany was an Indian-American physicist and an entrepreneur and business executive who was influential in creating our modern society.

His diverse contributions span fiber-optic communications, lasers, biomedical instruments, solar energy, and pollution monitoring. Born in Punjab (British India), he attended Imperial College, where he worked on his Ph.D. degree in optics from the University of London.


Inspired by his observations of light moving in various directions in a box camera, he persuaded British Physicist Harold Hopkins to hire him as a research assistant, which led to a joint publication in 1954 demonstrating a good image transmission through a large bundle of thin glass fibers. Kapany officially coined the term “fiber optics” in 1960, which describes a way to curve light waves across long distances. Many believed that light could only travel straight, including his high school science teacher, but he proved that light could indeed curve. Initially, many were critical of his technology because of discriminatory views, but ultimately, the scientific consensus favored his findings.


Fiber optics are used in phones, computers, and other electronic devices. Narinder’s research and work led to global communication networks that we rely on today. Without him, we wouldn’t have broadcasts, medical laser imaging, data storage, or telecommunication, allowing us to have seamless conversations with people on the other side of the world. We would also have a poor internet connection and less efficient cars, as fiber optics significantly speed up the process of wiring cars and the internet.


Kapany died in 2020 with many accomplishments, including having founded Optics Technology and Kaptron Inc., written 56 scientific papers (representing 30% of all publications in this field at the time), endowed at several universities, acquired over 120 patents, and been a member of numerous prominent scientific societies. Still, many believe him to be an “unsung hero” of the 20th century for his Nobel Prize-contending invention and overall technological contribution. Kapany’s work is significant and essential to creating modern technology yet, but he is rarely recognized by people, unlike the famous Tesla, Edison, and Bell.


 

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