Jakov Kuljiš - Honorary Citizen of America

At the beginning of the twentieth century, fishing on the American coast was looking for new solutions. The first experiments with underwater electric lights, powered by generators in boats, were already appearing. However, this innovation caused fear among fishermen – electricity was unknown, and distrust was great. In this atmosphere, Jakov Kuljiš, a fisherman from Komiža, appeared. He offered a different solution: he created an acetylene lantern for night fishing, simpler and safer to use than the electrical attempts of the time. He managed to patent his invention in the United States in 1903. His contribution did not go unnoticed. The state authorities rewarded him with a recognition, and Jakov Kuljiš was declared an honorary citizen of the United States of America. Thus, a fisherman from a Dalmatian island, thanks to his resourcefulness and ingenuity, entered the history of American fishing and took home a title that few could boast of.