Development of Optics under Conditions of Early Industrial Modernization in the Second Half of the 19th – Beginning of the 20th Centuries

Abstract

Abstract Introduction. The relevance of the topic is related to the importance of studying the history of one of the promising branches of industry and science – optics. The study was carried out in the context of early industrial modernization in Russia in the second half of the 19th – early 20th centuries, which can be compared with the modern period of modernization in a post-industrial society. Materials and Methods. The study is based on the theory of modernization, within which optics is studied from the point of view of the development of the economy, technology and the socio-cultural sphere of the industry. Results. The history of optics confirms the presence of features of early industrial modernization in Russia: the high speed of the industrial revolution; the key role of the state; dependence on imported technologies. The bourgeoisie has become an important factor in the development of the optics industry. Its economic, socio-cultural activities, business practices played an important role in the formation of a new industry. One of the characteristic features of the formation of a science-intensive industry was the close connection between science and production. Discussion and Conclusions. Despite the successes achieved by optics before the revolution, it was not possible to create mass industrial optical production in Russia. But the technological, industrial, scientific and socio-cultural prerequisites for the development of optical production, science and education were laid. Most of the pre-revolutionary optical industries served as the basis for Soviet optical and mechanical enterprises.