Ruđer Bošković

Born in Dubrovnik is Ruđer Bošković. He created an early version of atomic theory and made numerous contributions to astronomy, including the first geometric method for determining a planet's orbit from three observations of a surface feature and the equator of a revolving planet. He also discovered that the Moon has no atmosphere. He was a mathematician, philosopher, theologian, diplomat, poet, physicist, astronomer, geodesist, and archaeologist. His contributions to science span a wide range of fields, but his work in mathematics, hydromechanics, theoretical astronomy, geometry, and analogous interpretation of all known natural events are his most significant accomplishments.

The Institute for Scientific Research in Atomic Physics was established in Zagreb in 1950. The institute immediately changed its name to "The Ruđer Bošković Institute" after Ivan Supek suggested being welcomed by Ruđer Bošković. The institute has a multidisciplinary focus; it employs 550 researchers and students from the fields of computer science, electronics, molecular biology, chemistry, environmental and marine research, and experimental and theoretical physics.