Y. V. Bakumov’s contribution to the development of domestic electrical industry
Authors: Kryvokon Oleksandr 
Published: December 2020

The aim of the article is to publish the little-known information about the life and professional achievements of domestic organizer of production and designer in the field of electrical engineering Yuriy Bakumov; to reveal some peculiarities of production activity in the electrotechnical industry in the period of the 60’s – 70’s of the 20 th century. Research methods. Historical and biographical methods are applied in the work in the context of consideration the stages of life and assessment of production experience of Y. Bakumov. The use of the interview method yields additional previously unknown information about his life and activities. Main results. The special role of Kharkiv electrotechnical enterprises and the activity of their manufacturers for the development of the electrotechnical industry in Soviet times are emphasized. Kharkiv Electrotechnical Plant was the largest manufacturer of induction motors, generators and electric pumps in Ukraine. Its development began in 1932. One of the developers and organizers of the production of the most famous A4 series engines was Y. V. Bakumov. Y. V. Bakumov’s life was very difficult: his father was repressed, he was in forced labour in Germany. He made his career from a simple locksmith to a chief engineer at the HELZ plant. In this position, Y. V. Bakumov worked for more than ten years. In 1975, Y. V. Bakumov became the CEO of the newly formed Ukrelectromash production association. There is a detailed analysis of the main achievements of the enterprise led by Y. V. Bakumov. The scientific contribution of Y. V. Bakumov in the development of electrical engineering, memories of his personal life and family are presented. Y. V. Bakumov died in 1977, and in 1979 he was posthumously awarded the State Prize of the USSR and the Order of the Red Banner of Labour. Concise conclusions. Y. Bakumov made a significant contribution to the development of the domestic electrical industry. Under his leadership, the reconstruction and technical re-equipment of the production of electric motors were carried out, its efficiency was increased, and new equipment was created and implemented at the enterprises of Ukrelectromash. Nevertheless, the greatest achievement of Yuriy Viktorovich and the whole team of the Production Association are reliable electric motors, which are still successfully operating in various fields. Practical meaning. The formation of historical science should be based on the achievements, discoveries and developments made by individual figures within a certain direction of scientific and technological progress or industry. That is not simply recorded objectively existing results but continue to serve humanity, promoting his civilizational progress. Originality. Scientific research concerning the consideration of personalities and the life path of individuals who contributed to the formation of our country's industries (especially in the Soviet era) is urgent. Equally important is the fact that, until recently, within the national history of science and technology, very little research has been conducted aimed at isolating the wealth of Ukrainians in the development of scientific and technological thought and industrial production in the Soviet period. In our view, replenishment of national historical science with such data will not only serve patriotic goals, but also help to restore justice and give greater objectivity in assessing the role of our compatriots in civilizational progress. Scientific novelty. The topic of formation of the domestic electrotechnical industry and its scientific support in recent years has caused a great scientific interest on the part of domestic scientists. The biography of Y. V. Bakumov will allow to reveal more fully the achievements in the electrical engineering sphere, to rethink its problems, as well as help the development of scientific ideas about the peculiarities and regularities of functioning of the industry as a whole. Article type: historic-biographical.