Peter I, having cut a window to Europe, gave impetus to the active development of Russian business and the development of Siberia. The innovative tsar generously distributed preferences, lands, and factories to talented and resourceful entrepreneurs who appeared before the tsar’s eyes from the bottom. His Grace Prince Menshikov is not the only one who received status, capital, influence in high society. Artisans became aristocrats, skillfully doing their job, caring not only for their own pockets, but also for the power of the state.
Genus Demidov
The Demidov dynasty made a huge contribution to the development of the Ural and Siberian regions, the formation of industry, mining, and mineral exploration. Having made millions of fortunes, each of the Demidovs made generous donations to the development of arts, the construction of schools, shelters, hospitals. The Demidov clan began with the small Tula gunsmith Demid Grigorievich Antufiev, who successfully presented the Tsar with rifles of his own production.
First Demidov Plant
The eldest son of Demid Nikita brought fame and honor to the family. He was distinguished by his ingenuity, enterprise, huge ability to work. It was with his submission that Peter I was able to assess the quality of the Tula weapons. The arithmetic was simple: the quality of the guns was not inferior to foreign ones, and they cost much cheaper. Then king Nikita ordered to be a supplier of weapons for the army. It happened during the Northern War. By his decree, Peter I in 1701 ordered that Demidov be given the ownership of the Streletsky lands in the Tula province, and to provide production in the Shcheglovskaya settlement rich in coal.
The state was actively engaged in the construction of factories, the tsar quickly realized the benefits of cooperation between the state and private business. The still under construction Verkhotursky plant in the Urals in 1702 was given to Nikita Demidov with an obligation to pay the treasury the cost of construction for 5 years and to supply weapons and metal to the army. So the famous Demidov factories began to be built and developed. Demidov ruled in the Urals for 250 years, before the 1917 revolution. After, like most noble families, they scattered around the world. The smallest family losses suffered an Italian branch of the family, those who remained to live in Russia were shot or died from deprivation.
Industrial heritage of Demidovs
The history of the Demidov factories is a victorious procession of the first wave of industrialization in Russia. Arranging their own enterprises, the Demidovs founded cities, developed infrastructure, built roads, settled deaf Ural thickets with people, and prospected minerals not only in the Ural Mountains, but also in Siberia and Crimea.
The first factory from the tsar’s hands was received in 1702, by 1727 there were already six industrial enterprises built by the Demidovs, all of them were oriented to iron production:
- Shuralinsky.
- Byngovsky.
- Vyisky.
- Nizhny Tagil.
- Lower Lai.
- Verkhnetagilsky factories.
After the death of Nikita Demidov, his son Akinfiy began to expand his family business with great zeal, and by 1745 Demidov factories were built in different regions of the Urals and Siberia. In total, the Demidov dynasty owned 50 enterprises in its history. The assets were iron and copper smelters, the main area of ​​production is weapons. To ensure the work of enterprises, mining was actively developing. But, like all entrepreneurs, the Demidovs were engaged in related industries. This is the extraction and processing of semiprecious and precious stones from the Ural mines, the extraction of gold and silver.
Innovation
Demidov factories, ore mines and other technological enterprises brought profit to the owners, making Demidov monopolists in some sectors. The development, mining, smelting and transportation of copper did not produce the desired profit, but it was not the rule of the dynasty to close the matter. And then Akinfy Demidov found another "gold mine" of business - copper utensils.
Copper samovars were an expensive acquisition for any family, they were delivered from afar. The situation changed when a variety of metal dishes, including copper samovars, began to be produced at the Nizhny Tagil plant of Demidov. They were produced for cooking sbitnitsa, cooking ravioli, making hot teas based on odorous herbs. Akinfy Demidov was the first industrialist in Russia to organize the mass production of metal utensils. Demidov household items were of high quality, but different in execution. They were acquired by nobles and peasants, for everyone there was affordable and affordable in beauty.
The Ural factories founded by Demidovs continue their work today. For example, in the Sverdlovsk region there is a modern metallurgical enterprise, which is popularly called the old fashioned factory - Demidovsky Plant. Kamensk-Uralsky factory until 1947 had a defense profile, later a small workshop for the production of dishes was opened here. Today CJSC is the leader in Russia in the production of aluminum cookware with non-stick coating.
Demidov aluminum cookware factory
Demidovs built their plants conscientiously, equipped them with the latest technology, chose the most convenient places and developed the infrastructure. Many of them are now called the "Demidov Plant." Dishes manufactured on the basis of the Demidov heritage in the city of Kamensk-Uralsky meet the requirements of our time. According to consumer reviews, the products of modern Demidov production are convenient to use, practical and beautiful.
Aluminum utensils are an almost eternal acquisition, they serve several generations of the family. High-quality double boiler and juice cooker allow you to quickly and easily cook everyday dishes, make preparations for the winter. Also, Zavod Demidovsky CJSC launched a line of cookware with non-stick coating. Teflon-coated pots and pans are in high demand in Russia, their production is growing steadily. Consumers are offered new models of safe and quality products.
Foundry
Demidov factories in the Urals were among the first to supply cast metal products not only in Russia, but also abroad. Demidovsky cast iron “Siberian Sable” competed in quality with Swedish and English and often won in the competition.
The Demidov Foundry in Yekaterinburg is known today. The company produces cast metal products for the drilling, oil and gas industry. Also, the modern "Demlit" is known for many monuments cast at the enterprise, cast-iron fences of fine work. The possibilities of art and industrial casting from various metals at the plant are practically unlimited, many individual orders are carried out here.
Gold and silver
The Urals and Siberia are rich regions where the Demidovs were the first to prospect and mine minerals for industrial purposes. Gold and silver crafts have been the focus of the dynasty since 1736, when deposits of precious metals were discovered in Altai. According to rumors, the initial development was conducted secretly from the sovereign's eyes. For a long time it was not possible to melt pure silver. Only with the arrival of Saxon masters at the factory did they manage to establish full-fledged production. Altai mines in the Serpent Mountains proved to be very profitable. The Demidovs were actively developing them; they founded the city of Zmeinogorsk here.
Jewelry today
Demidov jewelry factory is located in Barnaul. This is a modern large-scale production in the Altai Territory. For the manufacture of jewelry, precious metal of domestic design is used, and diamonds - only Yakut. Masters work on high-precision equipment of Italian and German production.
The number of jewelry made allows the company to make wholesale deliveries around the world, but the craftsmen are happy to take on piece work. At the request of the customer, jewelers will develop an individual design, select precious and semiprecious stones. Each item is a masterpiece of jewelry. Demidov factories continue their lives in new conditions, but retain the tradition of innovation and quality. Their products are competitive and in demand among the most demanding customers.
Demidov case
For a long time Demidov factories live their own lives. Something is destroyed, something is irretrievably lost, but many enterprises continue to work and glorify their founders. The cities built by the Demidovs are now full of life and continue to grow and develop. The mineral explorations carried out by the dynasty are still relevant.
In addition to the practical side of life, the Demidovs did a lot of charity work. The sums of their contributions at that time were huge and corresponded to the budget of a small state. Now there are fresh beginnings associated with the name of the Demidovs. For example, in 1991, the Demidov movement began its life, the Foundation was founded in their honor. The main idea of ​​the movement is to serve the Fatherland following the example of an old family. The Foundation is engaged in the study of historical heritage, supporting research, art, crafts, culture in general. The Foundation also encourages projects in agriculture, the military-industrial complex and much more with its activities. As part of the activity, lectures are held, monuments are erected, parks are created, and folk traditions are revived.