The Chamber of Commerce and Industry presented a film about the creator of the Russian analogue of the Nobel Foundation

On September 13, the conference hall of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry hosted the premiere of a documentary film about the Russian entrepreneur and philanthropist Christopher Ledentsov (1842-1907). A Vologda-born merchant of the first guild, Khristofor Ledentsov, actually created a program of economic support for the poor, and then for many years supported scientific research “aimed at achieving the greatest public good at the lowest cost.”

The main project of Christopher Ledentsov was implemented after his death, when with his funds, in accordance with his will, the “Society for the Promotion of Experimental Sciences and Their Practical Applications” was formed. The society existed until 1918; it has been compared more than once to the world-famous Nobel Foundation, but in fact it did not reward researchers for already achieved successes, but provided venture financing for advanced scientific research and development. Its scientific council included leading scientists and engineers, as well as representatives of the country’s main scientific schools, including Moscow University and the Imperial Moscow Technical School (now Bauman MSTU). Among the researchers who at various times received support from the Ledentsov Society were, in particular, Ivan Pavlov and Konstantin Tsiolkovsky.

In 2020, an autonomous non-profit organization (ANO) was created in Vologda to promote the development and practical application of high-tech technologies “Christopher Ledentsov Prize”. Since 2021, this award has been awarded in the categories “Science”, “Development”, “Implementation”, “Financing”, “Promotion”, “Creation”. The board of trustees includes representatives of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the administration of the Vologda region and the All-Russian Society of Inventors and Innovators (VOIR).

Speaking at the premiere of the film, Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Dmitry Kurochkin emphasized that the legacy of Christopher Ledentsov meets the interests of modern Russia, which seeks to preserve and develop its production, scientific and technological potential. The scientific secretary of the Polytechnic Museum, Stella Morozova, noted that for the 115th anniversary of the establishment of the Ledentsov Society in 2024, the museum is ready to hold an exhibition of publications, documents and photographs of the Society.

Ivan Tyazhlov