Many admire Elon Musk's talent as an inventor and organizer. His projects, whether rockets or electric cars, spark lively discussions around the world. However, the Russian Empire also had its own "industrial Elon Musk."

Engineer Alexander Veniaminovich Bari founded an outstanding engineering company that produced steam boilers, pumps, and complex technical equipment. In addition, it built pipelines, elevators, railway bridges, hyperboloid towers, and much more. In fact, his firm was engaged in import substitution as early as the late 19th century. How did he achieve such success?

Alexander Veniaminovich was born in 1847 into an intelligent family from St. Petersburg. He received his education first in Russia and then continued his studies in Switzerland. Upon returning home in 1877, Bari started a business producing electric motors.

Soon, finding investors, he opened his own firm. At that time, the oil industry had great prospects, especially in Azerbaijan and neighboring regions, where the development of oil fields was actively underway. Here, Bari expanded his activities. With the help of one of Russia's best engineers, Vladimir Shukhov, his company designed and built the first oil pipeline in the country, as well as created the first storage tanks for kerosene, acids, and alcohol.

Recognizing the potential of his business, the entrepreneur founded a new firm, "Technical Office of Engineer A.V. Bari." The main enterprise of the company became the Boiler Plant, where unique equipment, energy installations, and steam boilers were produced. The firm actively participated in urban infrastructure projects, including the construction of bridges, power plants, modernization of railways, and reconstruction of water supply systems.

It is important to note that all this was domestic production, independent of imports. By that time, Bari was already considered a millionaire and enjoyed great authority among the engineering companies in the country. He passed away in 1913. Unfortunately, his firm did not survive the subsequent nationalization and went bankrupt.