The feature article “Physics in the former Yugoslavia: From socialist dreams to capitalist realities” (Physics Today, August 2019, page 30) mentioned the strong interest and encouragement the country’s leader, Josip Broz Tito, gave to science in the then newly founded Federal People’s Republic of Yugoslavia. I add one further account that shows his interest.
I was at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) when Tito visited it in 1963 as part of his tour of the US. Why he chose to visit us was not clear to me at the time since the work at PPPL had, at best, only long-range applications to fusion power. However, I now see that it was a part of his general interest in both science and its applications in planning for the future of Yugoslavia. He was the only head of state to visit PPPL while I was there. I recall the event clearly because it was the first and only time I have ever shaken hands with such a notable.
