The Nizhny Novgorod Radio Laboratory (NRL) was Russia's first state research and production center in the field of radio engineering, operating from 1918 to 1928. Founded at the dawn of Soviet Power, it brought together the country's leading scientific and technical talent working in radio communications, and became the first successful domestic experience of a knowledge-intensive enterprise.[1]

History and activity

At the time the laboratory was founded, the country had only four low-power civilian transmitting radio stations and 67 receiving ones — wire telegraphy had been completely destroyed during the Civil War and the economic blockade. In 1918 a decision was made to create the NRL as a single center for developments in the field of radio communications.[1] In 1919 the laboratory built up its staff and took on new scientific and production tasks.[1]

In 1920 NRL staff conducted successful experiments in long-distance radiotelephony and began construction of a radio transmitter for the Khodynka radio station in Moscow.[1] In 1921 construction began on the Central Radiotelephone Station in Moscow — the largest project yet, requiring the resolution of serious scientific, technical, and organizational problems.[1] In 1922 the station was commissioned under the name "Comintern" and, at the time of its opening, was the most powerful in the world. For this contribution the Nizhny Novgorod Radio Laboratory was awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labour.[1]

By 1923 the NRL had summed up the results of its first five years. In 1924 the laboratory's specialists worked actively on tasks driven by the country's growing needs in new radio technology; a newly adopted law on freedom of the airwaves opened wide opportunities for the amateur radio movement.[1] In 1925 the radio amateur F. A. Lbov became the first Soviet shortwave operator; exhibits by Nizhny Novgorod specialists were shown at the First All-Union Radio Exhibition in Moscow and the Scandinavian-Baltic Exhibition in Stockholm, demonstrating the international standing of the NRL's achievements. That same year marked the 30th anniversary of Alexander Popov's invention of the wireless telegraph.[1]

In 1926-1927 the central theme became short waves: the NRL took part in discussions on the use of short waves for long-distance radio communication and studied the mechanisms of short radio wave propagation in the Earth's atmosphere. By 1927 shortwave communication was universally recognized as a reliable means of communication.[1]

Legacy and succession

The laboratory ceased to exist in 1928. On its basis the Gorky Research Institute of Physics and Technology (GIFTI) was created at Lobachevsky University, and in 1956 the Radiophysical Research Institute (NIRFI) was founded on the basis of this scientific tradition.[1] The memory of the NRL is kept by the Memorial Museum, located at Upper Volga Embankment, as part of the structures of Lobachevsky University. The museum runs guided tours, themed readings, and workshops, and carries out the educational project "Nizhny Novgorod — the Capital of Radio", timed to the city's 800th anniversary.[1]

Sources

  1. nrl.unn.ru — Museum "Nizhny Novgorod Radio Laboratory" (archive)
  2. nrlprint.ru — NRL Print Shop — printing services in Nizhny Novgorod — low prices (archive)
  3. mapy.com
Material used from articles (2)

Lobachevsky University, Radiophysical Research Institute (NIRFI)