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Kharkov was founded as wailled settling in 1654 but quickly transformed into the active shopping center. Since XVIII century 4 annually fairs took place here each season had own fair. Handicraftsmen coming to fairs settled on the slaughterhouse place, having initiated development Kharkov light industry. |
Professional associations of town handicraftsmans on shops appeared in XVIII cent.: its shop had weavers, shoemakers, caldron-makers, smiths, glaziers, wool-workers, hat-makers, coopers, potters, tailors, carpenters, oil-makers, beer and vine-makers, etc.
Many of Kharkov streets are named by this professionals.
Tempestuous economic development of Kharkov both for the whole history of its existance and particularly at an initial period was much defined by the Kharkovites love for knowledges.
From church-parochial schools of XVII century through the institution of Kharkov collegium that remained Slobozhanschina (North-East Ukraine) centre of education before the beginning of age XIX to the opening of Kharkov University in 17 january 1805 - such is a glorious way Kharkov educators. From the very beginning Kharkov University become the education centre and scientific studies on not only Slobozhanschina but on all South Russia.
After feudalism cancel in 1861 Kharkov develops as large industrial center. 259 plants worked in 1899 including 59 machine-building and metalworking with personal of 11 608 people.
The railways building was a great factor in Kharkov industrial developement. The railway connected Kharkov with Moscow, St.Petersburg and Rostov in 1869. After Kharkov-Sevastopol, Kharkov-Nikolayev and South-East (Balashov) railway building Kharkov became to be one of the largest railway terminals in Russia.
The factories came on change to shops in XIX century. "Sweet life" began in 1896 with the pastry factory.
With the development of capitalism in Russia the necessety appeared in preparing the specialists for various branches of industry. So the Technological Institute was opened in 1885. Then the Feminine Medical Institute ( 1910) and Agricultural Institute (evacuee from Alexandria in the Kharkov in 1914).
It was 6 high schools in Kharkov before 1917.
The medical enterprises occupy an especial place in light industry of Kharkov: pharmaceutical association, endocrine production, biological preparation production.
Till 1917 the number of machine-building and metalworking enterprises is already more than 150 and the number of workers here about 35 000. The offices of largest in Russia syndicates "Prodamet" and "Produgol" were founded in Kharkov.
After October revolution and Civil War (1917-1921) the process of expanding economical developement began. From 1919 to 1934 Kharkov was the capital of Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic.
All the industries in Kharkov was rebuilt before 1925 and produced 1/5 all Ukraine industrial output. Since 1926 the modernization of Kharkov plants and factories began.
Kharkov Tractor Plant was built in 1931. 1200 enterprises with 300 000 personal worked in Kharkov till 1940 making 40% Ukraine and 6% USSR machine-building output.
The Scientific-Research Institutes in Kharkov after 1917 verged to traditionally developped medicine, biology, mathematics, mechanics, chemistry but also helped to ensure overtake paces of development of heavy and defense industry, modernization of transport, development of energy, nucleus physicists, optimum management water and timber resources. This trend this was not stopped even per annum Great Domestic war. For example Kharkov physicist-mathematical school was called to decide the problems of design of jet arming and aviations, famous tank T-34 was created under the direction of Kharkov constructor M.I.Koshkin.
| During World War II from 24.10.1941 to 23.08.1943 Kharkov was occupated by Nazi. A lot of buildings and plants were destroyed. The fact is that the first Internationanal Tribunal as for Nazi crime took place not in Nuremberg but in Kharkov, 1943. |  |
500 industrial enterprises were almost completely destroyed by occupants. But 600 enterprises worked here already in 1945. Prewar level of output was reached in 1948 and it became 4 times higher already in 1956.
60 Industrial concerns worked in Kharkov in 1980 including tractor-building, electromechanic, engine-building, tool-building, aircraft-building, turbine-building, etc.
Kharkov's powerful tractors laid a road to the South pole. Jet airliners were used on international airways. Metal-cutting software-controlled tool, motors, electrical accessory, automation facility and relationships, bicycles, television sets, photo cameras went to all places in the USSR and were exported in 60 countries of the world.
The time of Khakov scientific school bloom is 50-80 years: Kharkov becomes one of most largest in the world of space search centres. Impressive results are in geneticists, powdered metallurgy, transport and turbine machine building, design of powerful and economical engines, creation of efficient and ecological clean fuel, qualitative building material development.
In 80-e s in the Harkov worked each fifth scientific institution and each seventh scientist of Ukraine. There are about 180 scientific and design organizations including 67 research institutes, worked near 80 000 scientists.
Copyright © Serge Yu. Nesterenko, 1999
