I. I. Polzunov: the triumph and tragedy of inventor of the first steam-engine in the Russian empire

Yuliia Kosovets'

Abstract— The article is devoted to analysis of life and activity of Ivan Ivanovych Polzunov [1728, Ekaterynburg ― 16(27).05.1766, Barnaul], a prominent Russian heat-engineer, one of heat-engine inven¬tors, creator of the first Russian steam power set. In 1742, after finishing the first Russian mining-and-metallurgical school in Ekaterynburg he became a "mechanics student" of M. Bakharev ― the chief mecha¬nic of the Ural plants. Since 1748 I. Polzunov worked in Barnaul as a technician charged with the melted metal accounting. In 1750 he became an unter shiht-meister. In Barnaul plant's library I. Polzunov studied scientific works of M.V. Lomonosov and learned the steam-pumps design. In 1763 I. Polzunov worked out the project of a steam engine with capacity of 1.8 HP. It was the world-first double-cylinder engine with cylinders jointed to a common shaft, i.e. the engine was universal by its technical application. The Berg-Collegium President O. Shlatter pointed out that Polzunov's project was worth appreciating, but did not consider its advantages, and suggested to combine a new engine with waterwheels according to the European practice. I. Polzunov designed a new device to gear air-bellows for melting furnaces. The device with record capacity of 32 HP enabled (at first in the conditions of plant production) the complete elimination of waterwheels. The Polzunov's device novelty was highly appreciated by the Russian scientist E. Laksman after visiting Barnaul in 1765. E. Laksman wrote that I. Polzunov was "The person of whom his Mother¬land could be proud. He is constructing a fire-machine now, being quite different from any of Hungarian or English ones". A week before the device trial run I. Polzunov died of tuberculosis not getting through his hard work.

Key words: Іvan Polzunov, heating engineering, engine, technique, engineer, science