During the 1940s, while most American scientists were striving to perfect the military technology that would fuel the cold war, Dennis Gabor was developing a new science, one that would improve existing imaging processes by creating true three-dimensional pictures. Though essentially overlooked by the scientific community of the time, Gabor's studies would later pave the way for the invention of the hologram.

During his childhood in Budapest, Gabor showed an advanced aptitude for science; in their home laboratory, he and his brother would often duplicate the experiments they read about in scientific journals. He entered Budapest Technical University at age eighteen, but had only completed three years of study when he was drafted into the military. Gabor, who had already served two years in World War I, chose not to fight for Hungary's newly restored monarchy; instead, he moved to Berlin to complete his education. It was here...