He was the first to solve the problem of glaciation by mathematically proving that the secular flow of insolation is the main cause of all major climate changes on planet Earth. Milanković spent almost three decades working on this theory, which he considered one of his most important legacies. At the beginning of 1939, he began his capital work “The Canon of Insolation of the Earth and Its Application to the Problem of Ice Ages”, which contains his entire long-term work.
He wrote “Kanon” for two years, and the printing of this, one of the greatest works of Serbian science, was completed on April 2, 1941. Belgrade was bombed just four days later, and in the destruction of the city, the building of the printing house that printed “Kanon” was also destroyed. Because of this, the last pages of the book had to be reprinted. It was translated into German, and in the following years scientists from around the world began to support Milanković’s theory.

Works of the great Serbian scientist

He considers “The canon of insolation of the Earth and its application to the problem of ice ages” to be Milanković’s greatest and most significant work, but the other works in his oeuvre are not negligible either.

He published the “Reform of the Julian Calendar” in 1923. With that book, he actually proposed his revised calendar, which later turned out to be the most accurate in relation to the tropical year.

He wrote the scientific-popular novel “Through the Universe and the Ages” in the form of letters to an unknown lady and published it in 1928. The work is about climatology, astronomy and, in general, science. In it, he explained his astronomical theory of climate, and he wrote it for three years.

He also wrote about the life and work of other great world scientists, and his work “Through the Realm of Science” is a continuation of the book “Through the Universe and Ages”. Through portraits of great world minds, such as Pythagoras, Democritus, Aristotle, Archimedes, Copernicus, Newton, Darwin and others, he presents the most significant ideas and knowledge on which Western European civilization rests. “Through the Realm of Science” was published in 1950.

In addition to the works dedicated to his theories and science, he also wrote an autobiography entitled “Memories, experiences and knowledge” which was published in several parts – childhood and youth, the period from 1909 to 1944 and the period after 1944.

Milanković also published “Memories”, a book in which he described his development from the moment he began to think about science until he rose to the very top of world science. Through the description of his childhood in Dalje, his high school days in Osijek, his studies in Vienna, and later important events in his life, Milanković in this work expresses his lifelong connection with science.

In his numerous works, Milanković not only presented the theories he worked on, but also the entire life’s thoughts and feelings that occupied him, and from them one can learn numerous laws to which he devoted his life, but also the way in which he connected and created them. some of the greatest contributions to world science ever.

Movie about Milutin Milankovic:

In the premises of the INIS Institute there is also the exhibition “Adventure in the Balkans 1915”