Sarkis Acopian

Sarkis Acopian (; December 8, 1926 – January 18, 2007) was an inventor, industrialist, environmentalist, and humanitarian.

Early life Acopian was born in the Iranian city of Tabriz in a family of Armenian refugees from the Ottoman Empire. He came to the United States as an immigrant from Iran in 1945. He studied mechanical engineering at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania. He left Lafayette to serve in the United States Army. After he received an honorable discharge, he graduated from Lafayette with a B.S. in mechanical engineering.

Career

After graduation, Acopian was employed by Weller Electric Corp., where he designed a power sander and a soldering gun that later became two of their main products. Acopian's own success as an engineer inspired him to start his own business.

In 1957, after taking out a small loan, he founded Acopian Technical Company to realize his own "American dream".

In 1960, Acopian Technical Company began manufacturing low-cost, plug-in regulated power supplies that used vacuum tubes and plugged into a standard octal socket. funded a marsh turtle sanctuary.

In a speech honoring Acopian, United States Representative Charles Dent recounted a story from former senator Bob Dole. Acopian donated $1 million to the National World War II Memorial, the single largest contribution. In return, Acopian asked only for a seat at the dedication ceremony. Acopian Center for Ornithology at Muhlenberg College, Nature Conservancy Acopian Bog Turtle Preserve.

Links

A solar-powered radio receiver invented by Acopian at the Solar Energy Museum