The Indian scientist who bent light — and changed the internet forever: Why Dr Narinder Singh Kapany is called the 'Father of Fiber Optics'
How Dr Narinder Singh Kapany’s discovery of fiber optics transformed the internet and modern medicine
In a classroom in Dehradun, a young boy from Punjab asked a question that would change the world. What if light could be bent? This curiosity, coupled with a relentless pursuit of knowledge, led to the groundbreaking work of Dr. Narinder Singh Kapany, a scientist whose legacy continues to shape our digital and medical landscapes.
Born on October 31, 1926, in Moga, Punjab, Kapany's journey began in a classroom, where he questioned the conventional wisdom that light travels in a straight line. This curiosity fueled his academic pursuits, leading him to Agra University and later to Imperial College London, where he worked with renowned physicist Harold Hopkins.
In 1953, Kapany achieved the seemingly impossible. He demonstrated that light could travel through curved glass fibres without losing its path, a principle known as total internal reflection along curved paths. This discovery laid the foundation for the internet as we know it today. High-speed internet, fibre broadband, and the ability to transmit high-quality images through bundles of optical fibres were all made possible by Kapany's work.
But his impact goes beyond the internet. Kapany's research also revolutionized medical endoscopy, making it possible to transmit images through the human body for diagnosis and treatment. This technology has saved countless lives and continues to be a cornerstone of modern medicine.
In 1960, Kapany introduced the term 'fiber optics' to the world through a landmark article in Scientific American. This term gave a name to a technology that would transform global communication, making it possible to transmit vast amounts of data across continents through ultra-thin glass fibres using pulses of light.
Kapany's contributions extended beyond the lab. He was a successful entrepreneur, founding Optics Technology Inc. in 1961, one of the earliest Indian-origin technology companies in Silicon Valley. He also established Kaptron Inc. and accumulated over 100 patents during his distinguished career.
However, despite his groundbreaking work, Kapany's name may not be as widely recognized as it should be. When the 2009 Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded for breakthroughs in fibre optic communication, it went to Charles Kao for solving signal-loss problems in optical fibres. This sparked a debate among scientists, many of whom argued that Kapany's earlier discoveries had laid the scientific foundation for the field.
Despite this, Kapany's legacy remains strong. He was named one of the 'Seven Unsung Heroes of the 20th Century' by Fortune magazine in 1999. Following his death in 2020, the Government of India honoured him with the Padma Vibhushan in 2021, recognizing his extraordinary contribution to science.
Dr. Narinder Singh Kapany's journey is a testament to the power of curiosity and perseverance. His work has not only transformed the internet and modern medicine but has also inspired generations of scientists and entrepreneurs. As we continue to innovate and push the boundaries of technology, we must remember the lessons from Kapany's life, reminding us that even a single curious question can illuminate the future of the entire world.
