June 28 is the Day of the Inventor and Innovator: history, traditions, congratulations

Every year, on the last Saturday of June, Russia celebrates the Day of the Inventor and Innovator, a professional holiday for all those whose activities are related to the development and improvement of technologies, who daily move science and technology forward, improving the life of society. In 2025, the date falls on June 28. Read about the history of its appearance and the evolution of inventive thought in our country in the Izvestia article.

Inventor and Innovator Day – 2025: the history of the holiday and the importance of the profession

The history of the holiday goes back to the Soviet period. The initiator of its establishment in 1957 was the USSR Academy of Sciences. Scientists have proposed to create a domestic equivalent of the Nobel Prize in order to emphasize the importance of innovation, to recall the importance of technical creativity and the introduction of innovative ideas in various sectors of the national economy.

However, the official date of the celebration was set by Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR only two decades later — on January 24, 1979. It was called the "All-Union Inventor and Innovator Day" and fell on the last Saturday of June.

Invention in our country has ancient roots. Back in the 17th century, craftsmen who were able to create unique mechanisms stood out in Russia. One of the first famous Russian inventors was Ivan Kulibin— a self-taught mechanic who became famous for his engineering solutions at the court of Catherine II.

In the 19th century, Russian science gave the world such innovators as Alexander Popov, one of the inventors of radio, and Pavel Yablochkov— the creator of the arc lamp.

During the Soviet period, invention became widespread, becoming an integral part of the industrial culture, supported by a system of state awards and patents. Bureaus for innovation proposals were set up at enterprises, and technical circles were set up at schools and universities. The ideas were introduced into production, helped to save resources and increase efficiency.

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The scientific and technical potential of the USSR in the second half of the 20th century was considered one of the most powerful in the world. The Soviet Union became the first country to launch an artificial satellite and send a human into space. However, other technologies were equally important, such as air regeneration systems that allowed the conversion of carbon dioxide into oxygen, and radiation protection devices that are still relevant. These developments have become the basis for long-term orbital missions. Today they are integrated into the programs of international space agencies.

Soviet engineers provided the technical foundation for modern missile systems. The RD-180 jet engine, developed on the basis of domestic developments, is still used for space launches.

Fundamental research in the field of quantum electronics conducted by Nikolai Basov and his colleagues anticipated the appearance of lasers. Their maser theory marked the beginning of a new branch of physics, for which Soviet scientists were awarded the Nobel Prize in 1964.

He also became a pioneer in medicine in the USSR. In the 1960s, a prototype magnetic resonance imaging machine was created in the country, anticipating the mass introduction of MRI diagnostics. In parallel, the development of ultrasound devices was carried out, which became the basis for modern imaging in medicine.

However, the lack of flexibility in management, the rigid planned economy and the lack of interest from the state led to the fact that many innovations were not implemented until their analogues appeared abroad.

One of the most striking examples was the mobile phone. 16 years before the release of the first Motorola DynaTAC, Soviet engineer Leonid Kupriyanovich presented his own prototype LK-1. The three-kilogram device provided autonomous communication for tens of kilometers. In subsequent years, the engineer increased the weight of the device to 100 g and declared its readiness for mass production. However, the project was scrapped.

In 1987, a smart home concept called SPHINX was introduced in the USSR. The system, developed at VNIITE under the leadership of Dmitry Azrikan, provided for the interaction of home devices through a single information center. But the industry was unable to provide technical implementation — the project remained in the status of an idea.

Soviet scientists also anticipated the idea of a global computer network. Anatoly Kitov proposed linking several computers for data exchange back in 1959, and later Viktor Glushkov developed this concept into a nationwide system. However, their proposals were not implemented.

Against the background of perestroika and the transition to a market economy, the profession has transformed. With the advent of the digital age, IT solutions, patent activities, and startup culture have come to the fore. Today, Russian inventors and innovators continue to develop technical thought, introducing innovations in industry, medicine, ecology and everyday life.

Traditions of celebrating the Day of the Inventor and Innovator in 2025

On the Day of the Inventor and Innovator, conferences, exhibitions and presentations are held at universities and scientific institutes. In Russian cities, leading enterprises honor their innovators and present awards for the implementation of the best solutions.

Intellectual games, workshops and engineering hackathons are also held on this day. Young professionals, schoolchildren and students have the opportunity to present their developments and receive an expert assessment. Many teams organize informal meetings, share professional achievements and plans.

Who and how to congratulate on June 28th — best wishes

On the last Saturday of June, congratulations are addressed to engineers, designers, inventors, patent specialists, production innovators, teachers of technical universities, school mentors and students of specialized universities. Izvestia has prepared several examples of wishes for the culprits of the celebration.

"Congratulations on the Day of the Inventor and Innovator! Let your technical solutions simplify the lives of millions, and let every idea turn into a breakthrough. We wish inspiration to come more often, and success to be measured not only by numbers, but also by the recognition of colleagues."

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"Congratulations on your professional holiday! Let your inventions find application, and your suggestions find support and implementation. We wish that every drawing leads to a brilliant solution, and every experiment ends with the victory of logic and talent. Wide patent horizons and technical victories!"

"Congratulations on the Day of the Inventor and Innovator! You can create new things out of simple things. Even if a faulty part comes to life in your hands, the most complex mechanism works perfectly, and inspiration will always be there, like a universal tool. Good luck with every innovation!"

"Congratulations on your professional holiday! Your work is a bridge between idea and reality. May it be strong and lead only forward! Happy Inventor and Innovator Day!"

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