Sarkis Acopian

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Sarkis Acopian (December 8, 1926 – January 18, 2007) came to the United States as an immigrant from Iran in 1945 to study mechanical engineering at Lafayette College in Easton, PA [1]. While studying at Lafayette, he was called to serve in the U.S. Army. After he received an honorable discharge, he graduated from Lafayette with a B.S. in mechanical engineering.

[edit] Innovator

After graduation, Acopian was employed by Weller Electric Corp., where he designed a power sander and a soldering gun that later became two of his main products [2]. With just a small loan to start his own company and achieve his share of the American dream, he founded the Acopian Technical Company in 1957 where he designed and manufactured the first ever solar radio. The Acopian Solar Radio was promoted as "Revolutionary - No Batteries or Outside Electrical Plug-ins - Uses light for its source of energy" as seen on the 1957 product's instruction sheet [3].

In 1960, Acopian Technical Company began manufacturing "low-cost, plug-in regulated power supplies. These Plug-in power supplies used vacuum tubes and plugged into a standard octal socket" [4]. Today, Acopian Technical Company remains a leading power supply manufacturer.

[edit] philanthropist

Mr. Acopian, an industrialist, environmentalist, and humanitarian, has displayed extraordinary generosity to international, national and local-non profit agencies throughout his lifetime. "He has made numerous donations to national and international causes which have included The Acopian Engineering Center at Lafayette College, the Acopian Center for Conservation and Learning at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, The Acopian Center for Ornithology at Muhlenberg College, as well as endowing the environmental education program at the American University of Armenia and the Florida Institute of Technology"

[5].

In a speech honoring Mr. Acopian, Rep. Charles Dent [R-PA] recounted a story from former senator Bob Dole, in which Mr. Acopian donated $1 million to the National World War II Memorial. In return for the single biggest contribution to the memorial, Mr. Acopian only asked for a seat at the dedication cermony. [6]

[edit] References


  1. ^ "Remembering Sarkis Acopin '51", Lafayette Alumni News Magazine, Summer 2007. Retrieved on 2008-05-21. 
  2. ^ Dent, Charles. "Honoring Sarkis Acopian", Congressional Record, GovTrack.us, 2007-02-05. Retrieved on 2008-05-21. 
  3. ^ "[www.acopian.com Acopian Technical Company]", Acopian Technical Company. Retrieved on 2008-05-21. 
  4. ^ "[www.acopian.com Acopian Technical Company]", Acopian Technical Company. Retrieved on 2008-05-21. 
  5. ^ "Armenian Philanthropist Sarkis Acopian Passes Away", Embassy of the Republic of Armenia. Retrieved on 2008-05-21. 
  6. ^ Dent, Charles. "Honoring Sarkis Acopian", Congressional Record, GovTrack.us, 2007-02-05. Retrieved on 2008-05-21. 
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