On the history of photomultiplier tube invention

In this very short note we review some historical aspects of photomultiplier tube invention. It is our tribute to the memory of great Soviet-Russian physicist and engineer Leonid Aleksandrovitch Kubetsky whose life and scientific achievements are described briefly. Particular efforts are made to shed light on a controversial issue of who invented the first photomultiplier tube. It is asserted that if to recognize L.A. Kubetsky's priority on the photomultiplier tube invention the last Beaune Conference would be held on the eve of the 75th Anniversary of that great event. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.