Expert board:

• Scientific Council of RAS on economic history;
• Research and Educational Center «The economic history of Central Russia and the Middle Volga region» of Ogarev Mordovia State University;
• Center of Economic History of  Lomonosov Moscow State University

Nikolay M. Arsentyev1, Anatoly V. Sludnyh2

1 National Research Ogarev Mordovia State University (Saransk, Russia),

е-mail: direktor_isi@bk.ru

2 Ural Optical and Mechanical Plant named after E. S. Yalamov (Ekaterinburg, Russia),

e-mail: sludnichav1982@inbox.ru

 

The Formation of the Optical Industry in Russia and the Main Domestic Optics Center

 

Abstract

Introduction. The article discusses the issues of the development of the optical industry in Russia. Based on the analysis of a wide range of archival data and published materials, the role of the leading industrial center of Russian optical science, the State Optical Institute (SOI), is shown. The prestige of the SOI at that time was extremely high. In 2028, the 110th anniversary of its foundation. The name “State Optical Institute” is a symbol of the world scientific center, whose equals can be counted on the fingers. Therefore, this event should be used to draw public attention to the problems of optics: science, education and industry.

Results and Discussion. The article highlights the main events in the history of the origin and formation of the Russian optical industry and provides a brief description of them in connection with the social, economic and political development of the country. The first steps of the State Optical Institute as a scientific and technical center of the optical industry in Russia, and then the deployment of its activities as a leading industry institute, are considered.

Conclusion. The purposeful formation and development of the optical industry in Soviet Russia was determined by the mobilization nature of the modernization of the Russian economy, the lack of resources (optical glass), and the difficult geopolitical situation. At the same time, the young optical and mechanical industry demonstrated significant success, as it ensured the development of defense and industry, and was supported by reputable developments by optical scientists.

Keywords: industrialization, optical and mechanical industry, scientific research, branch science, State Optical Institute (SOI), D. S. Rozhdestvensky, USSR Academy of Sciences.

For citation: Arsentyev N. M., Sludnyh A. V. The Formation of the Optical Industry in Russia and the Main Domestic Optics Center. Ekonomicheskaya istoriya = Russian Journal of Economic History. 2025; 21(2): 137–155. (In Russ.). DOI: 10.24412/2409-630X.069.021.202502.137-155.

 

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