Serbia, hold on to Pupin's values, that is the only way forward
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THE HISTORY OF THE INNOVATION MOVEMENT IN THE SFRY
The innovation movements in the world raise, on their own, the economic development to a higher level, placing healthy foundation for further economic progress. Throughout 19th, and even 20th century, they have created the economically strongest countries in the world today. Uniting all social forces in one long-term and complex process towards creation of the innovation society that fully stimulates creativity, especially in production. The main goal of these movements in the world was always to accelerate economic development by immaterial means, through the creativity of their own workers with their technological innovations. In 19th century already they became powerful instrument that can initiate economic development, revive production and protect the environment. No one has ever successfully solved the economic crisis, unemployment and currency stability without strong technological development that must be based on technological innovations. They alone lead the economy towards the creation of new jobs, cheaper production and high competitive products. In the second half of 20th century, technological innovations have become the obsession of the United Nations, international organizations, governments of the most developed countries and all those who want quick and successful development. They have become a synonym for successful solution of obstructions in production, creation of strong economy and efficient social progress. In the second half of 19th century the Innovation Movement in America created the most powerful economy in the world, and solved the world economic crisis in 1930s. After World War Two, out of the demolished Japan the Innovation Movmement created the powerful economy known in the world as the “Japanese economic miracle”.
At the beginning of 1970s, the state authorities of Yugoslavia started giving signals to the Unions, as the largest political organization, to strive and develop Yugoslav economy with their own creative forces in production. It all began at the First and Second Innovation Conference in Maribor in 1971 and Opatija in 1972. The initiators were the Industry and Mining Workers Union, the Chamber of Commerce, the Association of Inventors and the State Patent Office. Mika Špiljak, President of the Yugoslav Unions, Ilija Vakić, President of the Yugoslav Chamber of Commerce, and Prof. Dr. Dragutin Bošković, Director General of the State Patent Office, knew well what the Innovation Movement meant to Yugoslavia. It is based on the UN General Assembly Resolution 1713 (XVI) from 1961. The Resolution obliges all countries to engage in building the defense system, and prevention of further exploitation of developing countries and diminishing the gap between rich and poor countries.
It is necessary to raise the economic development of poor countries to a higher level by using the principle of leaning on one’s own strength. To change the international regulations for technology transfer, especially the patent system to the benefit of the non-developed. That would prevent the continuation of neocolonialism achieved by the abuse of the international Patent System (Paris Convention) and unequal transfer of technology at the expense of the poor countries.
At that time, the poor countries united in the Group of 77 developing countries in the United Nations represented a great strength. They succeeded to initiate the drafting of three international documents: revision of the International Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, adoption of the standard Law on Patents for developing countries and adoption of the International Code of Conduct of the Transfer of Technology to poor countries. Among other things, these documents should also ban restrictive clauses in the technology transfer license contracts which are ruinous to developing countries. They protect poor countries from being exploited by transnational companies when selling technology. The United Nations recommend the developing countries to use the Innovation Movements and try to raise their economic development to a higher level with their own strength. By using these documents the developing countries would build a Defense System which protects from various misuse of the patent monopoly at the expense of the poor when buying technologies, thus diminishing the gap between the rich and the poor.
The innovation movement, based on working organizations, quickly developed in Yugoslavia because it had a political and expert support. At that time Yugoslavia, alongside India, Brazil and Argentine, was one of the leaders among developing countries in the fight for diminishing the technological gap between the rich and the poor countries on the global level. The expert team gathered around Špiljak, Bošković, and later Selak, advocated after Pupin that only mass invention work in production can bring great progress. Inventors in the working organizations are organized in Inventors Associations and there was no bigger organization without such an Association. The unions were the main political power and together with the Chamber of Commerce they helped the Inventors Association of Yugoslavia to grow and thus permanently improve the production process. The importance of the unions was especially important in choosing creative workers for local, republic and federal organs.
It is not by accident that Mika Špiljak, President of the Association of Unions of Yugoslavia, came to lead the Movement, personally recommended by Josip Broz Tito. He knew well the official politics of Yugoslavia, a leader of nonaligned countries in the fight against imperialism and transnational companies which destroy economies of the poor countries through the transfer of technology using customs, prices of raw materials and cheap labour. As a renowned socially-political worker, with experiences in the production, Špiljak was dedicated to the ideas of the Innovation Movement and building of strong economy. He always had the time to solve problems with the responsible people from the Movement (Dragutin Bošković, Rade Galeb, Mateja Ignjatović, Marjan Rožić, Milan Božić, etc.). Even in his retirement, until the end of his life, he placed maximal effort in helping the Movement by expressing his interest in its current state. Špiljak’s presence at the October Conference in Titovo Užice in 1989 was loudly welcomed by over 3,000 delegates. Ante Marković, President of the Yugoslav Government, and Milan Pavić, President of the Chamber of Commerce of Yugoslavia, also attended and helped in the organization of this Conference dedicated to the II Congress of Inventors of Yugoslavia which gathered workers innovators from immediate production from all Republics and Provinces of the SFRY. National relations had already been seriously damaged and the political situation was very complex, but that did not prevent an enormous number of creative workers to come to the Conference from all parts of Yugoslavia. That was the last attempt to prevent the breakdown of the SFRY and direct the vast energy spent on conflicts towards economy and building of a better life.
Owing to the exceptional expertise of the people in the Innovation Movement in Yugoslavia, led by Prof Dragutin Bošković, and the political support, the Movement has quickly become known in the world for its results and very popular among developing countries. Many have compared it with the famous Innovation Movement in Japan during 1950s.
Vu Heng visiting the Inventors Industry Collective „Precision Mechanics“ 1979. Followed by President of the Collective Aktiva Engineer Miloje Milovanović i Angineer Predrag Čonkić. First from the left is Milan Božić and then
the Chinese Ambassador in Belgrade.
In 1980s China began to open towards the world and was also using to the utmost the results of the Innovation Movement in Yugoslavia. The Chinese delegation headed by the Minister for Science and Technology Wu Heng comes to Yugoslavia in 1979 in order to acquire knowledge on what is being done on the improvement of the economic development in the country which is one of the leaders of the “Third World”. Being thoroughly informed with the organization of the Innovation Movement in factories (Inventors Association, innovation income and its stimulating distribution, stimulating creative work and constant improvement of production processes through Mass Invention Work), they started to implement that in their own factories.
The Yugoslav delegation was invited to visit China and give a series of lectures on the Yugoslav experience. At that time, China was not a member of the International Patent System (Paris Convention), did not have a national State Patent Office and national law. The invitation of the Government of the People’s Republic of China was accepted and the state delegation consisting of Prof. Dr Dragutin Bošković, patent engineers Milan Božić and Vanja Gnjatić, and patent attorney Dr Milenko Manigodić going to China in 1980. China accepted everything that the Yugoslav delegation recommended for the building of the Chinese patent system. It joined the International Convention, established the State Patent Office and adopted the national Law on Patents.
The Government Delegation for Patents with the Yugoslav Amabassador Ostojićem in China 1980.
Bošković third from the left, Božic second from the right.
The Innovation Movement brought several big decisions in 1979. The Chinese delegation visited Yugoslavia to study our Movement, Mihajlo Idvorski Pupin was proclaimed in Novi Sad as a symbol of the value of the Movement, while 12 October was proclaimed in Užice as the Day of Innovators of Yugoslavia – the date when Tesla submitted his most important patent in 1887. On the occasion of the Day of Youth, President of the SFRY Tito received in Brdo kod Kranja a delegation of the Association of Inventors of Yugoslavia (SPATUJ) which represented the Innovation Movement within the October Conference in 1979. In order for the most important person in the Innovation Movement to be included in the delegation, Božić proposes to Špiljak that his position as teh Secretary General of the Association should be given to Prof Dragutin Bošković. Špiljak accepts that with sympathies. Yugoslavia and the world public were informed of how much the President of the SFRY believed in the Innovation Movement which will certainly improve the life of the Yugoslavs. At those Conferences which were mostly held within the chamber system and in Idvor, the awards were given to the inventors for the best innovations implemented in the production and to the workers who especially support the Movement. Best technical solutions from the innovation exhibitions organized in the Republics and Provinces were sent to the exhibition of Workers Creations RAST – Yu Rijeka and were specially awarded. Željko Orešković, Director of this exhibition, was the President of the Association of Inventors of Croatia and as such member of the SPATUJ Presidency and very important person at the Innovation Movement. The October Conference in 1980 was held in Rijeka during the duration of the exhibition from 24 October to 1 November.
First from the left Milan Božić, first from the right Petar Belić President of the Inventors Collective of Serbia
The Innovation Movement dedicated the October Conference in 1981 to the cooperation of Yugoslavia with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) with headquarters in Geneva. Preparations began for the organization of the International Conference in Belgrade during which the developing countries should have verified the International Code of Conduct of the Transfer of Technology. The Movement, with headquarters in the Unions of Yugoslavia, formed an operative technical administration in the State Patent Office. It was not accidentally done, because at that time it was a very powerful state institution, and we can freely call that period Pericles’ Time of Yugoslav innovation and mighty economy.
Željko Orešković, director of RAST-YU Rijeka
At that time China was Yugoslavia’s closest associate in the organization of the International Conference in Belgrade in 1981 “Inventions as a Factor of Development of Technology in Developing Countries”. The Conference was attended by 51 developing countries and, for the first time through the UN system without the tutorship of the developed countries, adopted decisions on how the poor countries protect themselves from the exploitation of powerful West countries when buying technology. The goal of the Conference was to raise the economic development to a higher level, prevent arbitrariness of transnational companies and thus diminish technological gap between the rich North and poor South.
The international conference had a great importance in the world, especially in the special organizations of the UN – UNCTAD and WIPO. The Conference was attended by UN representatives led by Dr Arpad Boks, General Director of WIPO. The man from the UN, Arpad Boks, as well as his associates Porzio and Musa, could not deceive Dragutin Bošković and supported the developing countries in their fight for diminishing the technological gap. Boks was very satisfied with the entire organization and awards the delegation of SPATUJ led by the Secretary General of the Conference Milan Božić with a study trip on which they will get acquainted with the Innovation Movements in Japan, the USA, Philippines and Mexico. The trip was realized during 1982 while the conclusions of the International Conference in Belgrade were still appreciated.
The Yugoslav Government headed by Milka Planinc appoints Minister Jon Srbovan and Minister for Energy and Industry Rade Pavlović to fully engage in hosting Arpad Boks who came to visit Belgrade again in 1984 at the invitation of the Association of Inventors of Yugoslavia. Unfortunately, Bošković had passed away the year before, thus, despite well informed Jon Srbovan familiar with problems of Yugoslav innovation and international economic relations, Boks took liberties and started disputing many conclusions of the 1981 International Conference in Belgrade.
Start of work of the World Congress of Inventors at Bled in1985
Before leaving our country, the Association of Inventors of Yugoslavia organized a dinner for Mr. Arpad Boksa on 17 November hosted by Milan Božić, General Secretary of the International Conference. Besides the representatives of the Government and unions, the dinner was also attended by Bošković’s deputy who at that time was Acting Director of the State Patent Office. In his toast Božić included the words of Jon Srbovan that the Yugoslav Government remains dedicated to the conclusions of the International Conference and gives great recognition to the Association of Inventors of Yugoslavia and WIPO for the organization. The Conference reaffirmed that the developing countries could trust that Yugoslavia will always fight for their interests and creation of one’s own patents, against the suffocation of every development. The standard Law on Patents (the so-called Bošković Law) maximally protects poor countries on their territory preventing monopoly prices of foreign patent products.
Yugoslavia was a thorn in the eye of the developed world represented by WIPO. In his return toast, Boks commended the Association of Inventors and the Yugoslav Government for everything it does to raise the economic development to a higher level through the invention work. He supported the proposal of the Association of the Inventors of Yugoslavia (SPATUJ) that Yugoslavia hosts the World Inventors Congress in 1985 and that in the same year the Association takes active part in the world Exhibition of Innovations in Plovdiv. WIPO will financially support the Association. The Congress was in Bled, from 13 to 15 June 1985, and Yugoslavia was represented by Dr. Trpe Grujevski, patent engineer Milan Božić and Jože Jan, President, General Secretary and member of the Presidency of SPATUJ. There was a serious attempt in Bled to adapt the conclusions of the International Conference to Boks’ wishes and declaration of Henry Kissinger at UNCTAD in Nairobi in 1975. Unfortunately, afterwards Boks is practically bringing down the Code of Conduct of the Transfer of Technology, revision of the Paris Convention, and especially the standard Law on Patents.
WIPO Headquarters in Geneva
It was clear to us what the fact that there were no longer Dr Dragutin Bošković meant to the Innovation Movement. On the other hand, we were even stronger in our conviction that the fight must be continued. A replacement had to be found for Dragutin Bošković who had passed away. That was where the biggest mistake was made, because Bošković’s proposal that his assistant Ilija Batev from Macedonia becomes the new Director was not immediately accepted but was prevented by Božić. After three years of fighting, the Innovation Movement succeeded in appointing Blagota Žarković, Bošković’s deputy, as the new Director convinced that he would continue Bošković’s work, which is the biggest mistake made by Milan Božić. The events that followed showed that Žarković, in truth, was trying to destroy everything that the Innovation Movement with Bošković had accomplished, because he went over to Boks’ side. The Movement would have had difficult time surviving such a mistake had it not had strong support not only in the economy and unions, but also in social-political organizations and state administration. Everything happened as Bošković predicted at the end of his life – the new Director trying to destroy everything that the Movement had achieved. Even before this warning, everyone, and especially Mika Špiljak, knew that Bošković’s proposal should be accepted because they trusted him. Still, Božić managed to convince Špiljak, and he in return the Government of Serbia, to propose Žarković as the new Director, contrary to Bošković’s suggestion.
Prof Dragutin Bošković and Mika Špiljak were the force of the Movement because they united a
strong political person and expert.
Božić leaves the State Patent Office and becomes the Minister for Science and Technology in the Government of Branko Mikulić, in charge of the Administration for Patents, Standards, Measures and Precious Metals. Practically, Božić becomes superior to Bošković’s successor who betrayed the goals of the Innovation Movement. The new Director, who “works” for Arpad Boks and such a patent system which would protect the interests of foreign companies and not those of the Yugoslav economy, must remove Božić from that position in order to achieve that. He tries with the President of the Government to remove Milan Božić from the position of the Minister, by whatever means possible.
Due to the enormous pressure of the American Government and adoption of the general scheme of preferences with benefits for import and export of Yugoslav goods, our Ambassador in Washington Dr. Živorad Kovačević states on the television that the Yugoslav Government has sent to the Parliament the Law on Patents as agreed in Belgrade and Washington. However, Božić together with delegates, creative workers and President of the SFRY Parliament Dr Marjan Rožič puts a stop to that Law on Patents wanted by Boksa, thus finding himself in deep trouble threatened of being completely destroyed. There comes a great conflict between the Association of Inventors of Yugoslavia, supported by the Union and Chamber of Commerce, and the State Patent Office supported only by the President of the Government Branko Mikulić.
Milan Božić, patent engineer and President of the Foundation
Did not betray his teacher Dragutin Bošković!
Just before his death, Bošković, gravely ill, was returnign from the spa in Slovenia in November 1983 and met Milan Božić at the airport in Zagreb. Since they had not seen one another for a few months, that trip to Belgrade offered them a chance to talk about everything. When I tried to explain to him why I came to Zagreb, to beg Mika Špiljak for Žarković, he angrily interrupted me and said: "I have never ever thought that you, comrade Božić, are consciously working against me. You want with all your heart to continue with my work. That slimy cheat has deceived me, an old fox, but he will completely destroy you, a naïve greenhorn." I have never forgotten these words of reprimand from a man I respected and loved.” The events that followed quickly proved how right Prof Bošković was.
The election Conference of the Association of Inventors of Yugoslavia, 12 October 1987 in Ljubljana. Session of the Presidency is chaired by the President Jože Jan, left of him is Milan Božić, Geenral Secretary, right of him Rada Keđa, Executive Secretary.
The Movement took a significant victory with the election of Milan Božić for the President of the Association of Inventors of Yugoslavia on 12 October 1987 in Ljubljana, and at the proposal of Serbia, but misunderstandings continue. Serbian officials in the Federation supported Božić’s candidacy for the President of Yugoslav Inventors. Beside the support of the President of the Union of Yugoslavia, Marija Todorović, members of the SFRY Presidency, academician Dragutin Zelenović, President of the Chamber of Commerce of Yugoslavia, Milan Pavić, especially significant was the support of Dušan Čkrebić, member of the Central Committee of the League of Communists of Yugoslavia, at that time a very influential man in Serbia and the Federation.
In the meantime, Serbia recalled Milan Božić from the Federal Government, since Branko Mikulić did not manage to relieve him, and appointed him as the Secretary of the Board for Science and Technology at the Chamber of Commerce of Serbia. That was Božić’s crucial victory since it enabled him to continue fighting for original principles of the Innovation Movement. They were expressed at October Conferences in ways similar to those used by Pupin who fought all his life for the interests of Serbia, that is Yugoslavia. The Association of Inventors of Yugoslavia (SPATUJ), together with the Union and the Chamber of Commerce of Yugoslavia, prepared the October Conference in 1989 dedicated to the Second Congress of Inventors of Yugoslavia. The State Patent Office, with the Government of Branko Mikulić, changes the patent and license policy. Instead of fully protecting Yugoslav economy, it supports laws dictated by the powerful countries of the West which protect the interests of transnational companies. As the Second Congress drew closer to its beginning (27 and 28 October), the number of social factor supporting it increased, while the State Patent Office had no role at all, especially since the Government of Branko Mikulić fell.
The highest officials in the Federation, Čkrebić, Pavić and Zelenović, visiting the Association of Inventors of Yugoslaiva in April 1987, supporting the election of Božić as President of the Association.
New mandatory Ante Marković, renowned businessman, expert and man of the Innovation Movement, fully supported the Congress.
Milan Pavić, prominent businessman and President of the Chamber of Commerce of Yugoslavia, had a very significant role.
Mladen Selak was particularly satisfied with the new President of the Government and President of the Chamber. He often emphasized that finally experts came to important positions and that better days are coming for inventors. Selak believed that messages from the Conference in Uzice, the last large conference before the breakdown of SFRY attended by all Republics and Provinces, could stop the breakdown of the country. The Conference was held in Titovo Užice on 27 and 28 October 1989, and was attended by 3000 delegates and highest officials of the Federation and the Republic of Serbia. The reports given in Užice by Ante Marković, Milan Pavić and Milan Božić practically confirmed that everything that Yugoslavia did through the Innovation Movement was done in order to raise the economic development of the country to the higher level. Pointing to Božić speech, Ante Marković requested softening of criticisms about the abuse of international patent law and restrictive practice in license contracts when buying technology. Marković most certainly had in mind the enormous pressure of the West over the preference import of goods and acquiring foreign loans.
Ante Marković and Milan Pavić traied to prevent the breakdown of the SFRZ by organizing
the Second Congress of the Inventors of Yugoslavia in Titovo Užice in 1989
Unfortunately, philosophy of Pupin, Bošković, and even Selak, that „the road to the innovation society“ solved econmic and all other problems, did not stop those wanting to break down Yugoslavia. Many joined to, first of all, bring down an extraordinary President of the Government Ante Marković who could have taken us to the European Union then. With the breakdown of the SFRY difficult times came for the economy and the Innovation Movement. At that time Selak said: „Damn all those who brought about the fall of Ante Marković and breakdown of Yugoslavia, my country with enormous respect in the world.“
The power was taken by people who mostly know little about production and have no interest in it, but talk only about privatization as a salvation. Thus, they do not know nor want to hear anything about the Innovation Movement that existed and could have been used in solving the economic issues. The Association of Inventors of Yugoslavia broke down as well, and a few of Serbian experts together with Mladen Selak attempted to strengthen the Association of Inventors in the new country. Unfortunately, nothing significant could have been done without the real support of the Chamber of Commerce. Bad privatization did not enable economy’s development function, but had practically destroyed large economic systems and created huge unemployment.
All activities of the Group of 77 were stopped and there was no chance of diminishing differences between the rich and the poor. Patents and technologies have been transferred from UNCTAD to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade – GATT (the Club of the Rich). The work is done on strengthening the trade aspect of the industrial property (patents and brands), while the production function of the patent is being ignored, thus creating an enormous space for the misuse at the disadvantage of the poor. The Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) has been adopted legalizing the misuses enabled by monopoly prices – which was especially drastic in the pharmacy industry. Instead of strengthening patents and brands as factors of production, the role of author and similar rights is being intensified which do not lead to any economic progress of the poor.
Nelson Mandela, President of the Union of South Africa, a man who spent almost 30 years in prisons fighting for justice, said a definitive NO to TRIPS. In 1997, when many countries capitulated before the pressure of the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Government of President Mandela ignored TRIPS. It adopted the Law on Patents which excludes the protection of chemical products, thus preventing the misuse of the patent monopoly of transnational pharmaceutical companies reflected in the monopoly prices of medications, especially those for AIDS. His country had over 4 million serious AIDS patients and could not afford to buy expensive medications. This great fighter for justice was under attacks from many, and his Government was sued by 39 powerful companies in the world, including Bayer, and he was not able to leave his country for fear of being arrested. Those companies, blinded by greed, and on behalf of some international right given by TRIPS and WTO, demanded compensation and abolition of the above mentioned Law. They were not interested in the millions of AIDS patients whom President Mandela had in mind when fighting for the right for his country to buy medications at realistic prices. He succeeded in buying cheap medicines from Brazil, consciously violating TRIPS, thus saving the sick. Out of respect, the President of the USA George Bush came to see the giant of two centuries, Nelson Mandela, on the occasion of his 90th birthday, and after that the process was stopped. Mandela won and the lawsuit against his Government was annulled.
Božić informs Prof Domazet, Minister for Science and Technology in the Government of the Republic of Serbia, and President of the Chamber of Commerce Veselinović, with the establishment of Selak Award at the Founding Assembly at the Chamber of Commerce of Serbia in 2002
Mladen Selak, Prof Marija Bogdanović, Rector of the Belgrade University, Gen Branko Krga, Radoslav Veselinović, President of the Chamber of Commerce of Serbia, and Milan Pavić, former President of the
Chamber of Commerce of Yugoslavia
In order to preserve the Association of Inventors of Yugoslavia, Selak adopts a Decision to form a special Foundation which would, by renewing Pupin’s Fund, also represent the continuity of the Innovation Movement. After several years of consultations, Selak appoints Milan Božić, patent engineer, as the President of the Foundation and that marks the beginning of the serious work on the revival of the name and work of Mihajlo Idvorski Pupin. Using Pupin’s ideas, he begins to finance the best young inventors in the country, who establish companies on their patents. Selak receives for this program the support of the Serbian Academy of Science and Arts (SANU), first by the Vice President and then President of SANU Nikola Hajdin who also becomes the President of the Managing Board of the Foundation.
After the Founding Assembly held at the Chamber of Commerce of Serbia in 2003 under the auspices of Gen Branko Krga, Chief of Staff of the Army of Serbia and Montenegro, intensive preparations follow for the marking of 150th anniversary of the birth of Mihajlo Pupin. President of the Organization Board was Nikola Stojšić from Novi Sad, President of the Chamber of Commerce of Vojvodina. The climate begins to change, so the President of the Republic of Serbia Boris Tadić, three years in a row attends the October Conference of inventors, twice at the Chamber of Commerce of Serbia, and once in Idvor in 2004, when he was also the patron. Together with state organs from Belgrade and Novi Sad, the Foundation helps the restoration of Pupin’s house and Home in Idvor.
Beginning of the October Conference, Idvor 2004, President of the Republic Tadić, Academician Hajdin, General Krga, Selak, Božić, Stojšić, President of the Chamber of Commerce of Serbia Veselinović, etc.
The Conferences are traditionally used for handing over the highest social awards: Tesla-Pupin Medal, Pupin Medal (since 1979), as well as Mladen Selak Medal for young inventors and Simić Award for the legends of the Innovation Movement. Thus, the Innovation Movement, legalized by the Decision of the Assembly of the SFRY in 1974, was saved and its continuity provided.
October Conference in Idvor, 9 October 2010
The Foundation had an extremely productive publishing activity. The entire Innovation Movement was described in detail in the book “Technology and Patents – the Means of Domination”, by Mladen Božić, published in 2000. The promotion was organized at the Chamber of Commerce of Serbia on 20 November 2001 and it was attended by the President of the Association of Inventors of Serbia Pera Belić and the President of the Association of Inventors of Montenegro Ratko Tomašević. At that time Serbia and Montenegro were united in one country. The Foundation continued to publish the ANNUAL GAZETTES containing the history of the Innovation Movement and most important events in the country in the field of the development of innovations. The October Conferences were being organized regularly every year in tight cooperation with Idvor and Novi Sad. That was how the Innovation Movement was saved.
As of 2003, on the occasion of the New Year, the Foundation has been publishing brochures with calendars containing basic messages as to how to place Pupin’s life experiences in the function of solving economic problems. We are offering technological innovations as a resource that should be used for solving economic problems. This message is written on every single issue. Unfortunately, no state organ recognizes that value, even though the Founding Assembly was successfully organized in 2004, dedicated to 150th anniversary of Pupin’s birth, as well as the following Conferences.
The Foundation continues the fight for building Pupin’s system of values in our country, and on the occasion of marking 160th anniversary of Pupin’s birth in 2014 it publishes the first illustrated edition of his autobiography “From Pastures to the Scientist” in 20,000 copies and gives them free of charge to high schools in Serbia. This book for the first time contains texts that point to what Yugoslavia, that is Serbia, have done to initiate the affirmation of the forgotten genius such as Pupin.
Book promotion at the Military Academy, Belgrade, 2016. So far (January 2021), over 20,000 copies of
the book have been distributed in Serbia.
Pupin's autobiography at his grave in New York.
Pilot Vlada who brought the book to Pupin's grave.
We won in our fight that the bridge connecting Zemun and Borča be named Mihajlo Pupin. The fight was over three years long and we received the biggest support from the activists in Zrenjanin who are well acquainted with Pupin’s merits. We support and help the idea that Idvor encourages competent institutions in Novi Sad to give to the Regional Centre for Young Talents in Pančevo everything that Petnica in Valjevo has. We have an especially good cooperation with “Mihajlo Pupin” Association from Ljubljana, Electrical Engineering High School “Mihajlo Pupin” from Skoplje and “Pupin’s House” from Vevčane.
Promotion of Pupin’s autobiography in Vevčane, July 1, 2014
At the October Conference in 2012 in Idvor, Mladen Selak promised that the Foundation will raise a monument to Pupin in Belgrade, in front of the Faculty for Electrical Engineering, next to Nikola Tesla. Former Rector of the Belgrade University and Dean of the Faculty for Electrical Engineering, as well as the Vice President of the Managing Board of the Foundation, Prof Dr Branko Kovačević, said that it is a national disgrace that Pupin does not have a monument in the capital of our country. That is why the Foundation will make a conceptual design and provide all necessary permissions, under one condition – that Serbia provides one dollar on every dollar provided by the Foundation. The Foundation did everything as Selak promised, acquired all documents, and just when the project should have been realized everything stopped all of a sudden
Prof Dr Branko Kovačević, former Dean of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and rector of the Belgrade University in two mandates. He supported the Foundation to the fullest, because he knows well Pupin’s system of values.
Everything that the Foundation did was also supported by the Serbian Orthodox Church. Especially good cooperation was achieved with the living saint, Patriarch Pavle, who was adorned by modesty, humanity and love towards Serbian giants, especially Pupin.
Patriarch Pavle with Milan Božić, President of the Inventors of Yugoslavia, and Predrag Pešović, President of Serbian inventors, receives a delegation of the Association of Inventors of Russia led by President Sofonov.
Patriarch Irinej receives the delegation of the Founding Assembly, Milan Božić, Željko Šajn and Nikola Kusovac, who informed him about the new book on Pupin and marking of 160th anniversary of his birth.
FIGHT FOR PUPIN’S SYSTEM OF VALUES
A strong Innovation Movement, proclaimed by the SFRY Assembly on 10 December 1974 at the recommendation of the UN General Assembly, was very active in Yugoslavia during 1970s. The Movement was led by Mika Špiljak, President of the Confederation of Trade Unions of Yugoslavia, close associate of the President of the Republic Josip Broz. The basic goal of the Movement is to engage all social forces in one long-term and complex process and change the society’s position towards invention, in other words to implement technological innovation in the production. The recommendation is that the developing countries, using their own forces and technological innovations through the Innovation Movement, raise their economic development to a higher level, thus contributing to faster economic development of poor countries. That was the time of more just international economic relations, when the UN engaged themselves on lowering the gap between the rich North and poor South.
National Theatre in Titovo Užice, the venue of the October Conference in 1989 attended by the President of the Government Ante Marković. The Conference was dedicated to the Second Congress. By forcing the economic development they tried to prevent the breakdown of the SFRY. Famous inventor,
beekeeper Uncle Milorad is on the photo.
In 1979 in Titovo Užice, 12 October was chosen to be the Day of Inventors of Yugoslavia – that was the day when Nikola Tesla submitted his most important patent in 1887. That was the Day of social recognition and value of the creative worker in production. That was also when Pupin’s birthday began to be marked in Idvor on 9 October at the so-called October Conference. The Innovation Movement begins the fight for the affirmation of the forgotten Pupin, with the strong support of the American Embassy in Belgrade and Ambassador Lawrence Eagleburger. The reports were being given and awards handed over to the most successful workers and all those who contributed to the progress of the Movement. Mihajlo Pupin was proclaimed then in Novi Sad the symbol of the value of this Movement and his system of economic development “the Road to Innovation Society” was accepted. The strength of the Innovation Movement, founded in the golden times of the SFRY, is best shown by the fact that China, which was then opening towards the works, decided to study the Innovation Movement and use its ideas to the fullest. One primarily thinks of the economic development based on technological innovations. China establishes the State Patent Office which they did not have, adopts the national Law on Patents and becomes the member of the International Patent System (Paris Convention established in 1883, just like it was done in Yugoslavia). The October Conference in 1989, dedicated to Yugoslav inventors under the auspices of the extraordinary President of the Federal Government Ante Marković, also held in Titovo Užice, only confirmed how well China had estimated the value of the Movement.
Presidency of the October Conferences in 1989 presided over by Milan Pavić, President of the Chamber of Commerce of Yugoslavia, Milan Božić, left, dr. Marijan Rožić, right, and the representative from all the Republics and the Yugoslavian National Army. President of the Alliance of Inventors of Slovenia Prof. Dr. Matijaž Mulej at the podium.
Upon the breakdown of the SFRY, the organization of the October Conferences was taken over by the Association of Inventors of Yugoslavia, and then by the Mladen Selak Foundation. It was established with an aim to tear from oblivion Pupin, the world scientist and biggest Serbian lobbyist. Pupin’s work should be used for the creation of a healthy nation, by orienting the young to his system of values, just like America did. Pupin’s autobiography “From Pastures to the Scientist”, alongside “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” by Harriet Beecher, was mandatory reading in the high schools in the USA.
The backbone of Pupin’s system of values is the education system and the creation of the Cult of creative worker in the direct industrial production. Famous Pupin’s message to the young: Do not think that when you have graduated from some renowned faculty, some other school or skill, that you have become a gentleman. Only then have you become only a servant of a good master, and that master is WORK. In the creating of the Cult of a creative worker his message is that we all think and we all work, but only that which we know best. The message to workers who want PEACE and routine production is to turn the word PEACE into a creative unrest, thus PEACE should be read in three ways:
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Think and work (PEACE), axiom adopted by every creative worker whose goal is the economic developed based on modern technologies;
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Marketing, research, development (PEACE) are priority business functions of a modern company in the innovation society;
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Mass inventive work (PEACE), mass participation in the improvement of the existing technologies and creative solving of bottlenecks in the production.
Such a philosophy of the economic development creates Associations of Inventors in the companies and innovation profit is separately shown (for example, the Mining and Smelting Combine Bor had over two members in the Association of Inventors and the innovation profit was about 45% of the business. Especially sad example is today’s “Galenika” which had one of the best Associations in the SFRY with about 550 members, and over 50% of innovation profit participated in the total business.) and then its reputation was recognized world wide At that time many factories had a profit of over 50% expressed through innovations: Forge – Štore, Vikoza – Loznica, Rudi Čajevac – Banja Luka, Forge – Smederevo, TOZ – Zagreb, Alkaloid – Skoplje, Institute for Husbandry and Truck Farming – Novi Sad, Aluminum Plant – Titograd, TAM – Maribor, Industry of Precise Mechanics – Belgrade, Energoinvest – Sarajevo, Jugoturbina – Karlovac, Trepča – Kosovo, and many others.
Serbian Academy of Science and Arts gathers Serbian brains around Pupin’s scientific-research work in the cabinet of President Hajdin – academicians Stevan Kojićki, Aleksandar Despić, Petar Miljanić, Aleksandar Marinčić,
then Mladen Selak, Milan Božić and Đura Borak.
The topics of the Conferences were, among others, Pupin’s ideas about the education system, economic development and its patents, directing the young towards science and technology, moral values. Participants did not forget Pupin’s patriotism, especially expressed in the Balkan wars and World War One, periods when Christinanity was being protected from the Turks. At the same time, awards were given to young talents, as well as prominent scientific and public workers. Pupin Gold Medal, established in1958 by the USA Government together with the Columbia University for special contribution of national interest, were handed over more than 200 times in our country. Selak monetary award with a medal was also given to young inventors who founded their own companies based on their own inventions, while Simić Award was given to successful businessmen.
The patrons of the October Conferences were: Presidents of the Republics and Governments of Yugoslavia, that is Serbia, Serbian Academy of Science and Arts, Chamber of Commerce, Unions. The first patron was Josip Broz Tito, then Mika Špiljak, Ilija Vakić, Dragutin Zelenović, Marjan Rožič, Ante Markovič as the largest reformer of the Movement, Boris Tadić who made a speech in Idvor and Tomislav Nikolić, as well as the UN organization for the intellectual property WIPO from Geneva and the American Embassy in Belgrade.
Milan Božić remembers Bošković’s work in December 2013, Alley of the Great at the New Cemetery in Belgrade
The October Conference in 2018 was dedicated to 100th anniversary of the accession of Vojvodina to the Kingdom of Serbia and Pupin’s role in that process – the patron was the Provincial Government of Vojvodina. The jubilee 40th October Conference in 2019 was dedicated to 100th anniversary of Pupin’s work at the Paris Peace Conference and Pupin’s system of values.
The Museum in Idvor contains all information about the most important persons of the Innovation Movement, laureates of Pupin’s Gold Medal and Honorary Citizens of Idvor. All those who greatly contributed to the organization of the October Conferences throughout these 40 years will be forever remembers in this Museum.
Let us Develop Serbia through the System of Values of Mihajlo Pupin
That is the Main Goal of the October Conference
Idvor is celebrating a great anniversary – 40 years since the October Conference began the fight for the affirmation of this worldly, but our genius. In regard to the complex economic situation, especially after the breakdown of the SFRY, we are trying to place Pupin’s work in the function of solving the accumulated problems. That is why the topic of the Conference in 2019 was “Let’s Change Serbia with Pupin’s System of Values”, just like America developed itself based on Pupin’s work
40 years of the October Conference, 2019 Idvor
The lecture on that topic was given by Milan Božić,
President of the Foundation.
Let us first, with a minute of silence, pay tribute to the giant of this Conference, Academician Nikola Hajdin, who is no longer among us.
Today is a great day for all of us Pupins, because exactly 40 years ago we managed to turn the attention of Yugoslavia to this worldly, but our genius. A very few of us who have been at the beginning are left. Today we have with us Rade Gaborović, Bora Matić, Prof Milan Raspopović, Prof Rajko Unčanin and our Teacher, witnesses to how it all began. We are left without our main patron of the Conferenced since the breakdown of the country, academician Nikola Hajdin, who was regularly coming to Idvor for the past 20 years.
Mihajlo Pupin was not only a celebrated scientist, but also the greatest Serbian patriot and lobbyist. He raised Serbia’s reputation in the world and helped it to easier survive the horrors of the Balkan wars and World War One. Serbia is ravaged by typhus in 1915. Pupin sends three medical missions with food, medicines and staff. One is sent to Belgrade and was led by Dr. Edward Ryan, who was called the savior of Belgrade. The second mission goes to Niš and consists of 24 students from the Columbia University headed by Dr. Douglas Dold, savior of Niš. The third one led by Dr. John Frontigham is sent to Ohrid and the vicinity. All three of them were dedicated protectors of local population from the occupier.
As an American, Pupin was a great Serb, but also a Yugoslav. He was the best Ambassador of all our sufferings and cavalries, but also of our virtues. America built its system of values on the works of Harriet Beecher who was appreciated by Lincoln and Mihajlo Pupin, who in return was respected by Presidents Theodore Roosevelt, Taft, Wilson, Harding and Hoover. In our country he was sanitized in 1945, and even his name could not have been mentioned.
The wish of the initiators of this Conference, Prof Rajko Tomović, Dr Koča Jančić, Prof Dragutin Bošković and Dr Velja Kostić, was that we use Pupin as America did. The USA used him for the prosperity of the country and solved the world economic crisis from 1930s. The beginning of 1970s was the golden time of Yugoslavia. The Parliament of the SFRY adopts the Decision on the Innovation Movement, based on the UN General Assembly Resolution, in order to improve its economic development by leaning on its own strengths as well. Only one’s one strength provides stability and protects one’s economic from
transnational companies that want colonial and not partner relations when investing and transferring technologies.
Milan Božić and Slobodan Simić, President of the Foundation and President of the Managing Board, receive from Nermin Ljubović the award of the Chamber of Commerce of Serbia on the occasion of 40th anniversary of the October Conference on 9 October 2019 in Idvor
Upon the breakdown of the country, the Conference survived mainly thanks to the Serbian Academy of Science and Arts, Chamber of Commerce of Serbia and Rectorate of the Belgrade University. Specially important role was played by Mladen Selak, Slobodan Simić, prominent Serbian businessman, academician Nikola Hajdin, Dr Slobodan Milosavljević, Prof Branko Kovačević, and other. The patrons were the Presidents of the Republic of Serbia: Boris Tadic in 2004 who was in Idvor as a great support to the affirmation of Pupin, and Tomislav Nikolić, patron in 2014. Here we have mentioned only the most important persons during these past 40 years, in order to show the importance given to the Conference. They show that the wise Chinese did not accidently study the Innovation Movement in Yugoslavia and used Pupin’s Road to the Innovation Society for the development of their economy.
What does Pupin’s System of Value Imply?
First of all, they imply Christian values “forgive and repent”, where we especially emphasize morality which according to the Christ is goodness towards the weaker. The backbone of his system of values in the real world is the education system and creation of the cult of creative worker in immediate production who create new values.
Pupin reached heavenly heights without being either proud or arrogant. He was criticized by his countryman of being a fake inventor, Austrian spy, of being nothing and nobody. He was accused of embezzlement, when he was ready to give everything he has for Serbia. With a painful soul he used to say to his friends: “Never hate those who attack you. The salvation of all of us is to repent and forgive. My people have suffered a lot throughout history and that is why it does not trust educated men”- that is how Pupin forgives greave insults. Such a man, a great Christian, also studies economy seriously. He advocated the Innovation Society dominated by the creativity of the worker in the immediate production and for the education system which creates honest people and good workers. When they finish schools they do not become gentleman, Pupin says, but servants of a good master, and that master is work. Workers should be the ones awarded the most, especially those working in the immediate production creating technological innovations. Innovations are a powerful instrument which refines imported technologies and foreign investments, solve the unemployment problem, and raise the standard of living. Just as the fruit is an ornament of the tree, so is the technological innovation necessary for the stable economic development. That is the way to create a rich society where people can live well with honest work.
President Tadić talking to Selak and Academician Nikola Hajdin at the Founding Assembly at the
Chamber of Commerce of Serbia in 2003
Where are We Today in the Pupin’s System?
Today, our position in the Pupin’s system is best reflected by the divisions in the society in which enormous energy is spent on violent conflicts, instead of being used for the economic revival of the country. First of all we should be honest and just, to respect one another, to appreciate other’s opinions, not to easily accuse anyone and if we do it to use soft words and strong arguments. Pupin learned all of this from Lincoln who created strong America. Lincoln, himself an inventor whose political vision gave birth to millions of patents, used to say: “Just as I do not want to be a slave, I also do not want to be an absolute ruler. I only wish to be a servant to my people, not making a difference between those who are for and those who are against me. Good results in politics come only to those who put people and better life on the first place.” Pupin values the political leaders who are economic reformers and who raise the standard of living. Pupin strongly criticized President Calvin Coolidge for not celebrating in 1926 the fiftieth anniversary of the invention of telephone by Graham Bell, hence showing that as the President of the USA he does not sufficiently appreciates great creators. On the other hand, Pupin praises President Herbert Hoover for organizing a grand celebration in the USA in 1929 in honour of the invention of a bulb. The entire America celebrated that event as a national holiday, and on the day of the bulb invention, 21 October, it was in darkness for 2 minutes. President Hoover in that way gives special recognition to the inventor Thomas Edison who was 84 at the time.
In regard to the education system and the position of workers in the production, we are still far from Pupin’s ideas. We are seriously harmed by aggressive reality programs on televisions with national frequency, as well as by talks about the buying of school diplomas. We cannot remember the last time we saw on the television a substantial and educational movie, stripped off violence, one that would inspire a young soul to good deeds. So much violence in the TV shows advertising criminals and so-called controversial businessmen. And then we all wonder where so much peer violence in schools comes from. As if we do not know that television has an enormous influence on the formation of a young person. To what extent we appreciate knowledge is best reflected by the fact that rare was a media, such as RTS, that broadcasted in memoriam of the legend of Serbian science Nikola Hajdin.
Academician Nikola Hajdin, Academician Nikola Tasić, Milan Božić and Sava Radović visiting the
young entrepreneur Vojislav Stanojević in Valjevo.
Pupin says that it is always gratifying to take care of the workers, not only because of the economic but also moral values. He often mentions his friend Vlada Ilić who at that time took much care that his workers are satisfied, thus building a large textile industry. When in 1945 the authorities sentenced him to prison, Churchill’s intervention saved him from certain death. His workers did not forget a great man and had helped him upon leaving the prison. Quickly after the release he died, but former workers of “Štofara” organized a funeral and took care of his wife even though it was dangerous at those times.
Many difficulties that we face today are also caused by a neoliberal concept of the capitalistic development on the global level. That concept contributed to the increase of poverty in our country creating a rich elite not interested in either the poor nor the social injustice in the state. To them the market laws are above everything else, and the extra profit at any price most important. They ignore their own creative forces, especially in the production, forcing privatization, foreign investments, international loans, donations and taxes. There are no innovations or better life under such conditions.
What have We Achieved in those 40 Years?
We have succeeded in bringing Pupin closer to Serbian people, but his system of values is less present today in our country than it was in 1979, even 1989. We are grateful today to the Government of the Republic of Serbia for getting Pupin’s Bridge. We cannot understand the Assembly of the City of Belgrade for not completing the project of putting up the monument to Pupin in front of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, beside Nikola Tesla. The Foundation provided all necessary documents and permissions, as well as the conceptual design. We believe that the City Assembly would realize its mistake, and after the example of the Government of Serbia, help in the erecting of the monument to Pupin.
Predsednik Privredne komore Srbije dr Slobodan Milosavljević uručuje priznanje najboljem kolektivu
The Mladen Selak Foundation has helped over 1,500 pupils and students and continues to do so, to the best of its abilities. It handed over special awards: one of US$ 3,000, two of US$ 2,000, and three of US$ 1,000, to young businessmen and inventors who developed companies on their own patents. I well remember the satisfaction of the Academician Hajdin when we visited in Valjevo in 2004 the winner of the first award, young inventor Vojislav Stanojević, an engineer who used his own innovations to develop the production of fruit processing and employed 12 people. On that occasion Hajdin said: “This country would flourish if there were more Mladen Selak.”
When one is voluntarily engaged in such an important work for many years, one gets tired and should prepare new people so that the Conference and the Foundation would not die out. I derive my strength from the memory of Mika Špiljak, Dragutin Bošković, Academician Dragutin Zelenović, Mladen Selak, Academician Nikola Hajdin, and others, as well as on the privilege of having to know such great men of whom many have become my friends. I pray to God to give me strength to finish the third edition of my book “Mihajlo Pupin – the Greatest Christian among Scientists”. It will show that only if we respect the system of values established by Mihajlo Idvorski Pupin, Serbia could move forward.
PUPIN’S MONUMENT IN BELGRADE
When Mladen Selak decided that the Foundation will erect a monument to Pupin in Belgrade beside Tesla, Božić went to Vevčane to meet with Prof. Pavle Mitrevski and check some information related to Moskopolje and Gora. The host was the member of the Managing Foundation of the Stefan Đorđevski Foundation. On his return to Belgrade, inspired by positive events, Božić wrote the following text, satisfied that Pupin will finally get the monument.
The Thoughts upon the Visit to Pupin’s Ancestors
Rainy night. I’m both sleeping and not. I’m still under the impressions of the trip to Ohrid and Albania where we visited the ancestors of Mihajlo Idvorski Pupin. The lightning struck and thunder was heard. I get up. Whenever the lightning strikes, I remember Nikola Tesla, my countryman. There will be no sleep tonight. It is dawn. I get into the car around 6 o’clock and start to Belgrade. At the crossing of Kneza Miloša and Kralja Aleksandra Boulevard there’s a new building. There used to be a tavern “Tri lista duvana”. And that lot is bought by Mihajlo Pupin. He bought it to build a house there and spend his old age. It gives the best view to his Idvor and Avala which he saw as a child as a symbol of the power of Serbian state. Obligations have prevented him from doing so. I head towards Vuk, stopping at Tesla. Silence, no traffic. He sits alone, pensive, emersed in his book. I look at him for a long time. All of a sudden he raises his head; our eyes meet and he starts complaining of his loneliness: “Bring me Pupin. Place him besides me. He deserved it. And I will not be alone. Even in this world loneliness is difficult, unbearable and killing”. I wince, thinking. On his deathbed, Pupin called Tesla to visit him in the hospital. Tesla came and they reconciled. They were alone. What did they talk about? Did they finish their conversation? They have much in common. If they were together, they would have a lot to talk about.
Even though they were far from their homeland, they were always with it. They loved their homeland. They helped her. Homeland was “across the sea” to them then. Now, the tavern “Homeland” is across the street. No, they were not the tavern men. They were men of applied science – genius inventors. Maybe now they are not so strict. They will be looked upon by their students, followers, and they will return the look. The young laughter will humour them, and so it should because they loved the youth. Maybe, sometimes, they will cross the street and sit with them, to toast an A on the test or graduation. So, let’s ask the people of science, our urbanists, citizens, students, what they think about Pupin filling up the empty spot on the left side of Tesla. I know that we have no money even for the living, let alone the monument, but that is where we will be helped by “Mladen Selak – Young Inventor” Foundation and diaspora… Wasn’t Pupin also celebrated and brought to heavenly heights, doesn’t he also deserve a monument in Belgrade? That is the only way not to forget him and to repay him for all his contributions as the biggest Serbian lobbyist in the world. Maybe that is the way to take off the evil curse from the Serbian people talked about by Njegoš. To teach the young generation to follow his footsteps and to admire him.
Milan Božić
Nikola Tesla will no longer be alone, he will have Mihajlo Pupin for company. As a nation, we are correcting one great injustice done towards Pupin, a jewel born in it.
The idea about the monument was so embedded in the family of Mladen Selak, that upon his death that task was taken over by Nevenka Dedic, Selak’s daughter. She was in Idvor in 2014 at the October Conference, giving full support to further work of the Foundation. She was especially grateful to the President of the Foundation Božić, Academician Nikola Hajdin, Slobodan Simić, General Branko Krga, Prof Branko Kovačević, Prof Milan Raspopović, and others who are most deserving for the success of the Foundation.
The importance of the monument to Pupin is equal to the recognition the Innovation Movement received from the President of the SFRY Josip Broz Tito, President of the Government of the SFRY Ante Marković, Presidents of Serbia Boris Tadić and Tomislav Nikolić, patrons of the October Conferences in Idvor in 1979, 1989, 2004 and 2014.
The Parliament of the SFRY adopted the Decision on the Innovation Movement and the expose was given by the Federal Minsiter for Science and Technology, Dr Trpe Jakovleski. The Decision says: that 1975 is the year of technological innovations and protection of industrial property rights, a crucial year of one long-term and complex process in whcih all social forces should be engaged in order to
change the society’s relation towards inventions.
Until 1979, when the first October Confernce was held dedicated to Mihajlo Pupin, everyone forced Nikola Tesla whose CULT was dominant and everything was related to him. The growing number of experts in the Innovation Movement mention Academician Rajko Tomović acknowledging his claim that Mihajlo Pupin has been unjustifiably forgotten and that he is far more deserving than Nikola Tesla. That was especially obvious when President Tito accepted to change his position towards Pupin and be the patron of the first October Conference in 1979. By that time, Dr Koča Jončić, who was severely criticized by quasi patriots, did an exceptional work so that 125 th anniversary of Pupin’s birth would be
celebrated in the best possible way in both the USA and Yugoslavia. He was greatly supported by the American Serbs, most of all the Association of United Serbs “Sloga” which was chaired by Pupin for many years and which proclaimed Pupin the Honorary President at the convention in the summer of 1979. The entire convention was dedicated to Pupin and it was agreed that 125 th anniversary of his
birth on 9 October is celebrated in Yugoslavia in 1979.
President Tito receiving the delegation of the Founding Assembly consisting of the best Yugoslav inventors from the working organizations led by Mika Špiljak and Prof Dragutin Bošković, Brdo kod Kranja, 27 April 1979
President Tadić receiving the delegation of the Founding Assembly in 2004, on the occasion of marking 150th anniversary of Pupin’s birth. The delegation was led by Academician Nikola Hajdin, President of the Serbian Academy of Science and Arts. The meeting was also attended by Slobodan Milosavljević, President of the Chamber of Commerce of Serbia, Milan Božić and Nikola Stojšić.
President Nikolić receiving the delegation of the Board for marking 160th anniversary of the birth of Mihajlo Pupin led by Prof Branko Kovačević on 4 March 2014. The meeting was also attended by Milan Božić, Duško Belić,
Academician Đorđe Šijački and Željko Šajn.
What is not written might as well have never happened, because nothing can be saved from oblivion. History teaches us that, since it is full of forgotten heroes and great events. Memory of people is shaky and subjected to the change of politics, thus part of the past not suitable to the regime could disappear forever. Pupin suffered such a fate, but today the Innovation Movement in Yugoslavia is a real well of ideas for revival of production no one is interested in. Selfish politicians today mostly keep the power with empty promises ignoring the experiences of Yugoslavia, one of the most respectable countries in the world in 1970s. In that way they reject the most important resource for the economic development – technological innovations, for which most have never heard of. That is why the Foundation has been writing about that for over thirty years. The Gazette 10 is completely dedicated to ideas and giants of the Innovation Movement. It leaves us hope that sometime in the future someone will find our texts and follow the trail that would lead them to forgotten heroes of the Innovation Movement – Mika Špiljak, Dragutin Bošković, Rade Galeb, Ante Marković, Academician Dragutin Zelenović and Rajko Tomović, and many others. The trail will lead them to one of 500,000 inventors such as Velja Debeljak, working organization “Uča” from Vršac, Milan Veljković Šura who was in the delegation visiting Tito, from the Mining Smelting Combine Bor whose Association of Inventors had the innovation profit in the amount of 45% of the total one, Radiša Mikić, genius inventor from the Forge in Smederevo, etc.
Velja Debeljak was the symbol of successful inventor who improved the
entire production process in the working organization “Uča”.
Results of the Innovation Movement were best reflected in the production working organizations that oriented their activities through their Associations of Inventors. The photo below shows Milan Božić with Anđelka Radojčić visiting the Association of Inventors at the Industry of Precise Mechanics in Belgrade and talking about the expressing of the innovation income.
Boards
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