Russian Pioneers Who Changed the World – Part 3

1934 – the general theory of chain reactions:

In 1934, the Soviet physicist Nikolay Semyonov was the first in the world to develop a general quantitative theory of chain reactions (including branched chain reactions). In the 1920s and 1930s, he showed and confirmed by experiments that many chemical reactions (for example, burning and explosions) occur not just as a direct interaction of molecules, but through the formation of active particles (free radicals). These particles trigger a cascade of transformations: one active particle causes the appearance of new ones, and the reaction increases like an avalanche. The theory of chain reactions has formed the basis of many technologies, from internal combustion engines to the creation of new materials. In 1956, Nikolay Semyonov received the Nobel Prize for his research in the field of the mechanism of chemical reactions.

1934 – discovery of luminescence during the movement of charged particles:

In 1934, the Soviet physicist Pavel Cherenkov was the first in the world to discover a blue glow that occurs when charged particles (for example, electrons) move in a transparent medium at a speed exceeding the phase speed of light in this medium (called "Cherenkov radiation"). This provided visual confirmation of relativistic effects and allowed direct observation of superluminal motion in matter. The discovery provided reliable means for monitoring and diagnostics in the nuclear power industry, improved radiation therapy in medicine, and also gave a new tool for detecting various particles (their velocity, direction, and type of particles). In 1958, Pavel Cherenkov received the Nobel Prize for the discovery of this radiation.

1935 – discovery of the isomerism of artificial radionuclides:

In 1935, the Russian physicists Igor Kurchatov, Boris Kurchatov, Lev Mysovsky, and Lev Rusinov were the first in the world to discover the phenomenon of isomerism of artificial radionuclides, which gave rise to important applied developments in various fields, including nuclear medicine (a striking example is the technetium-99m isomer which is widely used in medical diagnostics today).

1937 – the first artificial heart:

In 1937, the Soviet scientist Vladimir Demikhov was the first in the world to design and manufacture an artificial heart: it was a plastic pump powered by an electric motor. The heart was implanted in a dog. This invention laid the foundations of transplantology.

1938 – discovery of the superfluidity of liquid helium:

In 1938, the Soviet physicist and engineer Pyotr Kapitsa was the first in the world to discover the phenomenon of liquid helium-2 superfluidity. He found that when helium is cooled to temperatures close to absolute zero, it enters a special state (helium-2) and flows with virtually no viscosity, i.e. with zero resistance. The discovery contributed to the development of cryogenic technologies and cooling, the operation of superconducting devices (including magnetic resonance imaging devices), accurate measurements of low temperatures, as well as the study of quantum turbulence, topological defects, and other phenomena. In 1978, Pyotr Kapitsa received the Nobel Prize for basic research and discoveries in low-temperature physics.

1941 – explanation of the theory of superfluidity:

In 1941, the Soviet physicist Lev Landau was the first in the world to provide a theoretical explanation for the phenomenon of fluidity (when liquid helium-2 flows almost without friction), creating a two-fluid model of helium-2. It was the first model to connect quantum effects at the micro level with the macroscopic properties of matter. The model has greatly contributed to the development of low-temperature physics and quantum liquids, and has made it possible to predict the behavior of a system under different conditions, which is important for further experiments and technological developments, including cryogenics. In 1962, Lev Landau received the Nobel Prize for the theory of condensed matter and liquid helium.

1947 – the first audio recorder:

In 1947, the Russian engineer Alexander Poniatoff was the first in the world to create a prototype of a professional audio recorder. The invention quickly conquered the market: since 1948, radio stations began to actively use it in their work.

1947 – the first lung transplant:

In 1947, the Soviet scientist Vladimir Demikhov was the first in the world to perform the isolated lung transplant during experiments on dogs.

1948 – the first liver transplant:

In 1948, the Soviet scientist Vladimir Demikhov was the first in the world to perform the liver transplant during experiments on dogs.

1952 – the first coronary bypass surgery:

In 1952, the Soviet scientist Vladimir Demikhov was the first in the world to perform the mammary coronary bypass surgery during experiments on dogs. The method developed by Vladimir Demikhov became one of the key operations in the treatment of coronary heart disease in humans.

1954 – the first nuclear power plant:

On June 27, 1954, the Soviet scientists led by Igor Kurchatov launched the world's first nuclear power plant in Obninsk, Russia. The history of the nuclear power industry begins from this date.

1955 – the first three-level circuit for quantum generators:

In 1955, the Soviet physicists Nikolay Basov and Alexander Prokhorov, for the first time in the world, proposed a three-level method for creating an inverse population in quantum systems. This method made it possible to create a quantum generator not only in the microwave range, but also in the optical range. An optical quantum generator is a laser which has revolutionized our world. In 1964, Nikolay Basov and Alexander Prokhorov received the Nobel Prize for fundamental work in the field of quantum electronics, which led to the creation of emitters and amplifiers based on the laser-maser principle.

1956 – the first video recorder:

In 1956, the Russian engineer Alexander Poniatoff completed work on the creation of the world's first video recording device and presented the video recorder to the society.

1957 – the first intercontinental ballistic missile:

On August 21, 1957, Soviet scientists and the chief designer of Soviet rocket and space systems Sergei Korolev were the first in the world to successfully launch an intercontinental ballistic missile (R-7 rocket).

1957 – the first artificial satellite of the Earth:

On October 4, 1957, Soviet scientists and the chief designer of Soviet rocket and space systems Sergei Korolev launched the world's first artificial satellite. This event ushered in the space age of mankind.

1957 – the first intercontinental passenger turboprop aircraft:

On November 15, 1957, the Soviet scientists led by aircraft designer Andrei Tupolev were the first in the world to take to the sky an intercontinental passenger turboprop aircraft. It was named Tu-114.

1957 – the first mobile phone:

In 1957, the Soviet radio engineer Leonid Kupriyanovich was the first in the world to create a portable radiotelephone weighing about 3 kg. The device could communicate with a city telephone network through a base station and provided a communication range of 20–30 km. In 1958, he created an improved model of the radiotelephone weighing 500g, and in 1961 – a radiophone weighing 70g that fit in the palm of hand. The pocket phone allowed not only to call any subscriber, but also to receive calls from all phones that were assigned a city network number, including pay phones on the street.

1957 – the first description of quantum vortices in superconductors:

In 1957, the Soviet physicist Alexei Abrikosov was the first in the world to theoretically describe quantum vortices in superconductors of the second kind (they were called "Abrikosov vortices"). Alexei Abrikosov developed the theory of superconductivity (created earlier by the Soviet physicists Lev Landau and Vitaly Ginzburg) and showed that in superconductors of the second kind, the magnetic field can penetrate into the material not in a continuous stream, but in the form of an ordered lattice of thin filaments – quantized vortices. In the center of each such vortex is a normal (non–superconducting) region, and undamped currents flow around it. The discovered phenomenon has formed the basis of many technologies, including superconducting magnets for magnetic resonance imaging and particle accelerators. In 2003, Alexei Abrikosov and Vitaly Ginzburg received the Nobel Prize for the creation of the theory of superconductivity and the theory of superfluidity of liquid helium-3.

1959 – the first spacecraft to overcome the Earth's gravity:

On January 2, 1959, Soviet scientists and the chief designer of Soviet rocket and space systems Sergei Korolev launched the Luna-1 automatic station. It was the first spacecraft in the world to accelerate to the second space speed (about 11.2 km/s) and overcome the Earth's gravity.

1959 – the first spacecraft to reach the Moon:

On September 12, 1959, Soviet scientists and the chief designer of Soviet rocket and space systems Sergei Korolev launched the Luna-2 automatic station. It was the first spacecraft in the world tо reach the Moon.

1959 – the first spacecraft to photograph the far side of the Moon:

On October 4, 1959, Soviet scientists and the chief designer of Soviet rocket and space systems Sergei Korolev launched the Luna-3 automatic station. It was the first spacecraft in the world tо tаke a photo of the far side of the Moon.

1959 – the first nuclear icebreaker:

On December 3, 1959, Soviet scientists and shipbuilders commissioned the world's first nuclear icebreaker. The history of the nuclear icebreaker fleet begins on this date.

1961 – the first close flyby of Venus:

On February 12, 1961, Soviet scientists and the chief designer of Soviet rocket and space systems Sergei Korolev launched a rocket on an interplanetary trajectory and achieved the close flyby of Venus – for the first time in the world. It was performed by the Venera-1 automatic interplanetary station.

1961 – the first man in space:

On April 12, 1961, Soviet scientists and the chief designer of Soviet rocket and space systems Sergei Korolev launched a human into space for the first time in the world. This human was Yuri Gagarin who successfully returned to Earth after one revolution around our planet on the Vostok-1 spacecraft.

1962 – the first stationary plasma engine:

In 1962, the Soviet physicist Alexei Morozov was the first in the world to propose an accelerator scheme where plasma is accelerated in crossed electric and magnetic fields in an annular channel, which allowed the creation of the first stationary plasma engine. Unlike pulsed plasma thrusters, a stationary plasma thruster is capable of operating continuously for a long time, which is indispensable for spacecraft orbit correction or interplanetary flights.

1963 – the first semiconductor laser based on heterostructures:

In 1963, the Soviet physicist Zhores Alferov was the first in the world to create a semiconductor laser based on heterostructures – it worked at a temperature of liquid nitrogen. By 1969, the Soviet scientists led by Zhores Alferov had succeeded in creating a laser that operated at room temperature. This was revolutionary and made semiconductor lasers practically applicable: it became possible to use them without bulky and expensive cryogenic systems. The technologies that grew out of these works are now widely used in fiber-optic communications, laser printers, barcode and QR code scanners, telecommunications equipment, medicine, and many other fields. In 2000, Zhores Alferov received the Nobel Prize for his developments in semiconductor technology.

1965 – the first human spacewalk:

On March 18, 1965, Soviet scientists and the chief designer of Soviet rocket and space systems Sergei Korolev realized the first human spacewalk in the world. This spacewalk was carried out by Alexei Leonov who was in outer space for 12 minutes and 9 seconds.

1965 – the first spacecraft to reach Venus:

On November 16, 1965, Soviet scientists and the chief designer of Soviet rocket and space systems Sergei Korolev launched a spacecraft that reached the surface of another planet for the first time in the world. It was the Venera-3 automatic interplanetary station which made a hard landing on the surface of Venus.

1966 – the first soft landing on the Moon:

On February 3, 1966, Soviet scientists landed a spacecraft on the surface of the Moon for the first time in the world. It was the Luna-9 automatic station which confirmed the possibility of a soft landing on another celestial body and became an important step towards further exploration of the Moon.

1968 – the first prototype of a personal computer:

In 1968, the Soviet engineer and designer Arseny Gorokhov submitted an application for a device he called the "Intellector". It had components that are present in personal computers today: a data input unit (keyboard analog), a graphic display unit (monitor prototype), a converter (motherboard prototype), a storage unit (hard disk analog) and memory. Thus, long before the appearance of the first mass-produced PCs, Arseny Gorokhov was the first in the world to comprehensively describe the architecture of a device very close to the concept of a personal computer.

1968 – the first supersonic passenger aircraft:

On December 31, 1968, the Soviet scientists led by aircraft designer Andrei Tupolev were the first in the world to take to the sky a supersonic passenger aircraft. It was named Tu-144.

1970 – the first lunar rover:

On November 17, 1970, for the first time in the world, Soviet scientists delivered a planetoid to the Moon, a device that successfully operated on the surface of another celestial body. This device was Lunokhod-1.

1970 – the first soft landing on Venus:

On December 15, 1970, Soviet scientists landed a spacecraft on Venus for the first time in the world. It was the Venera-7 automatic interplanetary station which made a soft landing on the surface of the planet. Scientific information was transmitted for 53 minutes, including 20 minutes from the surface, which was the world's first case of direct measurements on the surface of another planet and the world's first case of radio communication from the surface of another planet.

1971 – the first long-term space station in Earth orbit:

On April 19, 1971, Soviet scientists launched a long-term orbiting space station into Earth orbit for the first time in the world. It was the Salyut-1 space station.

1971 – the first spacecraft to reach Mars:

On November 27, 1971, Soviet scientists delivered a spacecraft to Mars for the first time in the world. It was the Mars-2 automatic interplanetary station which made a hard landing on the surface of the planet.

1971 – the first soft landing on Mars:

On December 2, 1971, Soviet scientists landed a spacecraft on Mars for the first time in the world. It was the Mars-3 automatic interplanetary station which made a soft landing on the surface of the planet.

1973 – the first operation for the treatment of glaucoma:

In 1973, the Soviet ophthalmologist Svyatoslav Fyodorov was the first in the world to perform an operation to treat glaucoma. The method of Svyatoslav Fyodorov received international recognition and soon entered world practice.

1975 – the first photographs of the surface of Venus:

In 1975, Soviet scientists obtained television panoramas of the surface of Venus for the first time in the world. They were provided by the automatic interplanetary stations Venera-9 (October 22, 1975) and Venera-10 (October 25, 1975) which successfully landed on Venus and carried out their space program on the surface of the planet.

1979 – the first prototype of a 3D printer:

In 1979, the Soviet engineer and designer Arseny Gorokhov was the first in the world to receive an author's certificate for an invention called "Spatial Relief Builder". According to a preset program, the device applied the material layer by layer, gradually creating a three-dimensional object or component. 3D printers have opened up previously unimaginable possibilities for mankind in various fields.

1980 – the first idea of quantum computing:

In 1980, the Soviet mathematician Yuri Manin was the first in the world to express ideas that formed the basis of the concept of quantum computing, leading to the creation of a quantum computer.

1981 – discovery and synthesis of quantum dots:

In 1981, the Soviet scientist Alexey Ekimov was the first in the world to experimentally discover and study quantum dots – semiconductor nanocrystals whose optical properties depend on their size (for example, by changing the size of nanocrystals, you can control the color of the glow). This discovery formed the basis of quantum dot technology which is now used in displays, LEDs, solar cells, photodetectors, biomedical imaging, as well as in quantum computing and quantum cryptography. In 2023, Alexey Ekimov received the Nobel Prize for the discovery and synthesis of quantum dots.

2004 – the first graphene:

In 2004, the Russian physicist Konstantin Novoselov and Soviet physicist Andrei Geim were the first in the world to obtain and study graphene – a two-dimensional material consisting of a carbon layer one atom thick. The following unique properties of graphene put it forward as the material of the future: electrical conductivity (graphene surpasses copper and silicon in this indicator, which is important for electronics), strength (it's almost 200 times stronger than steel, which provides opportunities for creating ultra-strong and lightweight composites), transparency, thinness, and flexibility (it absorbs only 2.3% of light, one atom thick, it does not break when strongly bent, which makes it promising for transparent flexible screens or sensors), thermal conductivity (it conducts heat more efficiently than copper by almost 10 times, which is useful for heat dissipation in microelectronics), chemical stability and large specific surface area (valuable for catalysis, filtration, energy storage, and biomedical applications). In 2010, Konstantin Novoselov and Andrei Geim received the Nobel Prize for their research of graphene.

And these are just some of the Russian inventors and scientists – pioneers and trailblazers – who have made a quite valuable contribution to the scientific and technological progress of mankind. The list can go on!

May these achievements inspire the new Lomonosovs and Kulibins to make new discoveries that will change this world for the better!

 

 

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See also:

The True World Map

Goodness in the Legislation of Our Planet

The Foundation of Saratov