Did you know that Nikola Tesla, the Serbian-American genius, was featured on an American postage stamp? Yes, you read that right! Nearly seven decades ago, to mark the centenary of his birth, the US Postal Service issued a stamp bearing his image. But this isn’t just any stamp – it’s a symbol reminding us of Tesla’s importance to both nations and the entire world of science.
This stamp, known as a “forever stamp,” is valid for sending a standard letter regardless of changes in postal rates. That means Tesla is forever part of the American postal system, just as he is forever part of science and history.
Nikola Lončar, president of the Tesla Science Foundation in Philadelphia, confirmed the stamp’s authenticity and revealed that a new postage stamp is in the works. This new stamp will feature Tesla’s image alongside the Serbian-American flag and the inscription “American scientist of Serbian descent.” The project is led by artist Sara Radovanović, a third-generation Serbian American.
Tesla was born on July 10, 1856, in Smiljan, then part of the Habsburg Monarchy, into a Serbian Orthodox family. His father Milutin was a priest, and his mother Đuka was known for her intelligence. Tesla carried out most of his scientific work in America, where he died on January 7, 1943, in New York City.
His personal archive and numerous artifacts were transferred to Belgrade in 1952, becoming part of the rich collection at the Nikola Tesla Museum. In 1976, UNESCO included Tesla’s archive in the “Memory of the World” register, highlighting the universal significance of his work.
Tesla received his first official recognition in Serbia in 1926, the Order of St. Sava, 2nd class. During his life, he maintained close ties with the Serbian royal family and met King Peter II Karađorđević in New York in 1936.
The 1956 American stamp is not just a philatelic rarity but a reminder of Tesla’s greatness and his connection to Serbia and America. In times when the true origins of great figures are often forgotten, such a symbol carries special weight and value.
For anyone wanting to get to know Tesla better, the Nikola Tesla Museum in Belgrade remains a must-visit destination – a place where the memory of the man who changed the world is preserved and cherished. If this story sparked your curiosity, drop a comment and tell us – what’s your favorite Tesla invention? Or maybe you have a Tesla joke? Come on, don’t be shy!
