Ukrainian Changemakers: How Innovators from Ukraine Shaped the World
Ukrainians have made significant breakthroughs in aviation, medicine, engineering and green technologies, leaving their mark on global innovation.
The Gaze writes about it, referring to the article ‘How Ukrainian Innovators Shaped the Modern World’.
Ukrainian innovators are behind some of the most important breakthroughs in aviation, medicine, engineering, and green technology. It is worth recalling the legacy and lasting influence of those who helped advance global innovation. Here are some of them:
Igor Sikorsky, fascinated by flying since childhood, created his first working model of an aircraft at the age of 12. Before World War I, he designed the first successful multi-engine aircraft, the Russky Vityaz, and the Ilya Muromets bomber, which had enclosed cockpits. In 1939, Sikorsky created and piloted the VS-300, the first practical single-rotor helicopter, whose configuration is still in use today.
Stepan Timoshenko is considered the founder of modern engineering mechanics. His Timoshenko beam theory corrected and expanded the classical beam theory, making the analysis more accurate. His textbooks are still standard reference books.
Mykola Amosov revolutionised cardiac surgery by performing the first successful mitral valve replacement in the USSR using his own prosthesis. He founded the Kyiv Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery and held dozens of patents.
Yevgeny Paton revolutionised welding. In the 1930s, he developed a method of automatic submerged arc welding, which enabled the mass production of high-quality welds. During World War II, his system made it possible to produce tanks and ships more quickly. In 1941, his team built the world's first all-welded bridge across the Dnieper River.
Sergei Korolev, an engineer and architect of the space age, headed the Soviet space programme. Under his leadership, Sputnik 1 was launched in 1957, and in 1961, Yuri Gagarin became the first man in space.
In 2017, at the age of 17, Valentin Frechka discovered a way to turn fallen leaves into paper, creating the start-up Releaf Paper. Their paper has a significantly lower carbon footprint. In 2024, Releaf Paper launched its first pilot production line in France.
Dima Gazda and Anna Belivantseva from Esper Bionics developed the Esper Hand bionic prosthesis — a smart, self-learning hand that offers three times faster control. In 2022, Esper Hand was included in TIME's list of the ‘100 Best Inventions.’ Esper Bionics also provides prostheses to Ukrainian military personnel.
These innovators demonstrate Ukraine's significant contribution to global progress.