Fibre optics pioneer celebrated with portrait unveiling

Dr Narinder Singh Kapany’s portrait was commissioned by Imperial College London in recognition of his contributions to science and the institution.

A portrait of Dr Narinder Singh Kapany has been displayed in 170 Queen’s Gate at Imperial’s South Kensington Campus, in recognition of his scientific achievements and impact on the Imperial community.

Celebrating the “Father of Fibre Optics”

The portrait unveiling was attended by Professor Hugh Brady, President of Imperial, Professor Ian Walmsley, Provost of Imperial, along with Kiki Kapany, Dr Kapany’s daughter, and other family and friends of the renowned physicist.

Speaking at the event, Professor Brady said: “Dr Kapany’s work laid the foundations for many areas of technology and medicine that are widespread today, including high-speed internet technology, pulse oximetry, distance-measuring equipment and laser-eye surgery. 

“He remains a role model for many in the Imperial community and we are honoured to be able to include the “Father of Fibre Optics” as one of our own and to be able to celebrate his connection to Imperial for many years to come through this wonderful portrait created by Keith Holmes.”

Professor Walmsley added: “For me, Keith Holmes’ portrait captures the captivating spirit of adventure, discovery, and invention that leaps from Dr Kapany’s memoir. As someone whose career was strongly influenced as an undergraduate by optics leaders at Imperial, I can understand how he found the College “a veritable playground for the obsessed”.

“We hope the painting will be appreciated by Dr Kapany’s family and friends and inspire others to follow similarly fulfilling, creative and successful journeys in life.”

Dr Kapany’s portrait was commissioned by the Artworks Group as part of an ongoing response to the History’s Group’s report. The Artworks Group ensures that Imperial’s diverse current and former students and staff are represented through its art. It is co-chaired by Richard Jardine, Proconsul and Professor of Geomechanics in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Anne Barrett, College Archivist and Corporate Records Manager.

Pioneer of fibre optics

Dr Kapany joined Imperial at a PhD student in the 1950s, following a period in industry working at a government munitions factor in Dehradun, India, and at an optics firm in Scotland. He was interested in optics from a young age, ever since his father gifted him a camera which sparked a desire to understand its inner workings. 

During his PhD he pioneered the use of fibre optics to transmit high-quality images, and his work laid the foundations for many areas of technology and medicine that are widespread today, including high-speed internet technology, pulse oximetry, distance-measuring equipment and laser-eye surgery. 

Following his PhD, Dr Kapany moved to the United States but continued his association with Imperial for many years, including as a member of Imperial’s Development Advisory Board in the early 2000s.