“Grandfather of the Russian car”: who is he and why his contribution to the auto industry is irreplaceable

Critics often say that Yakovlev simply copied German cars. However, this is not entirely true: he adapted the design to Russian realities — bad roads, harsh climate and lack of refueling infrastructure. For example, its engine could run on kerosene (which was cheaper than gasoline) and the suspension was beefed up for cobblestone driving.

It is worth noting that the Yakovlevsky Automobile was not the first self-propelled carriage in Russia. Back in 1791 Ivan Kulibin created "scooter"** — a three-wheeled stroller with pedal mechanisms. But it was mechanical device without motor, while Yakovlev’s car already belonged to cars in the modern sense.

Why Yakovlev was forgotten: the tragic fate of the inventor

Despite revolutionary developments for his time, Evgeny Yakovlev never became widely known. There are several reasons:

1. Early death. In 1898, at the age of 41, the engineer died of tuberculosis. His plant survived for several more years, but without a leader it quickly fell into disrepair.
2. Competition with imported cars. At the beginning of the 20th century, the Russian elite preferred Mercedes, Peugeot and Ford. Domestic cars were considered “second-class”.
3. Lack of government support.
4. Revolution and Civil War. The archives of Yakovlev's plant were lost, and his cars were almost not preserved.

Today we know about the existence of everything two copies "Yakovlevsky car":

• 🚘 One is stored in Polytechnic Museum of Moscow (replica restored according to drawings).
• 🔧 The second is in a private collection in Germany (the fate of the original is unknown).

⚠️ Attention: If you come across photographs on the Internet of the “first Russian car” with the inscription “1896”, make sure that this is not Benz Velo or another foreign model. The original "Yakovlev" had a characteristic rectangular radiator grille and wooden wheels with metal rims.

Yakovlev’s contribution to the modern automobile industry: what remains of his ideas?

It may seem that Yakovlev’s work did not have a serious impact on the development of the auto industry. But that's not true. Here are a few technologies and approaches that he was decades ahead of:

Created a gasoline engine for crews|

Used chain drive (later used in motorcycles and tanks)|

Developed a cooling system with a water pump|

Organized the first car assembly plant in Russia -->

1. Localization of production. Yakovlev not only assembled cars from imported parts - he developed my own nodes (for example, carburetor and ignition system). This principle later formed the basis of the Soviet automobile industry, where localization reached 90%.

2. Adaptation to Russian conditions. His cars were designed for:

• ❄️ Work at temperatures up to -30°C (due to the insulated crankcase).
• 🛣️ I drive on dirt roads (reinforced frame and springs).
• ⛽ Use of low-octane fuel (kerosene instead of gasoline).

3. Personnel training. At his factory, Yakovlev prepared the first Russian car mechanics. Without this initiative later, the development of the auto repair industry in Russia would have been impossible.

Unfortunately, many of his achievements were lost. For example, he experimented with electric cars (yes, in the 1890s!), but these projects were never realized. If not for his premature death, perhaps Russia would have become one of the leaders in electric transport a hundred years ago.

Myths and misconceptions about the “grandfather of the Russian car”

There are many myths surrounding the figure of Yakovlev. Let's look at the most common ones:

Myth 1: “Yakovlev copied Benz, so he cannot be considered an inventor.”

❌ Reality: Yes, he used a German chassis, but engine, transmission and body were original. It's like saying that Lada Vesta - not a Russian car, because it has a French platform.

Myth 2: “The first Russian car was steam powered.”

❌ Reality: Steam omnibuses Petra Frese (1830s) did exist, but they were public transport, not cars. Yakovlev's car became the first personal petrol crew.

Myth 3: “Yakovlev worked alone.”

❌ Reality: Workers worked at his factory up to 15 peopleincluding engineers and workers. He also collaborated with Baltic plant (where submarines were later built).

Myth 4: “His cars were unreliable.”

❌ Reality: According to contemporaries, the Yakovlevsky Automobile was easier to repairthan imported analogues. For example, its engine could be disassembled in 20 minutes without special tools.

How was the memory of Yakovlev immortalized?

Despite his enormous contribution to history, Evgeny Yakovlev remains one of the most underrated figures in the Russian automobile industry. This is how his memory is honored today:

1. Memorial plaques. In St. Petersburg on the house at the address You. island, 10th line, 21 (where his plant was located) a commemorative plaque was installed in 2016. However, it is located in the courtyard and is almost invisible to passersby.

2. Museum exhibits. As already mentioned, in Polytechnic Museum a replica of his car is kept. In addition, in UMMC Automotive History Museum (Verkhnyaya Pyshma) there is a stand dedicated to Yakovlev.

3. Books and documentaries. Several biographical essays have been written about him, for example:

• 📖 “The first Russian car” (A.N. Nikiforov, 2003)
• 🎬 “Forgotten Geniuses: Evgeny Yakovlev” (documentary film, History Channel, 2019)

4. Car clubs. In Russia there is Club of retro car lovers named after E.A. Yakovleva, whose members restore antique cars and hold exhibitions. In 2023 they organized reconstruction of the first motor rally St. Petersburg–Moscow on cars of the early 20th century.

⚠️ Attention: If you want to visit places associated with Yakovlev, please note that most of his plant's archives were lost during the siege of Leningrad. The surviving documents are stored in RGIA (Russian State Historical Archive) and are available only upon special request.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the “grandfather of the Russian car”