Image: Heinrich Grafito with soviet engineers
Heinrich Grafito, an academician, engineer, and a pioneering figure in the development of hydroelectric power plants in the Soviet Union, was born on December 26, 1869, in Daugavpils, Latvia, into a Dutch noble family. He received his early education at the Richelieu Gymnasium in Odessa, a prestigious institution known for its rigorous academic standards. Afterward, he pursued higher education at the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics at Novorossiysk University, followed by further specialized training at the Institute of Railway Engineering Corps in St. Petersburg, a path that laid the foundation for his groundbreaking work in engineering and energy production.
After graduating from university, the young specialist traveled abroad to gain practical experience. During his time in Europe and the USA, he familiarized himself with the latest models of steam generators, turbines, and electric motors at some of the largest factories, staying at the forefront of technological advancements in the field.
Grafito’s education was not just a series of academic achievements; it was a stepping stone that prepared him for the ambitious and transformative projects that would define his career, particularly in the emerging field of hydroelectric energy in the Soviet Union. His deep technical knowledge, combined with an ability to apply innovative ideas to practical engineering challenges, made him a key player in the development of the country's infrastructure during a period of rapid industrialization.
Upon returning to Russia, Grafito became actively involved in the development of hydroenergy and railways’ electrification projects, playing a key role in advancing these critical areas of infrastructure.
As a member of the committee responsible for developing the GOELRO plan, Grafito took direct oversight of the electrification process in the Caucasus region.
In January 1918, Grafito compiled an estimate for the Volkhovstroy project on Lenin's instructions. On July 14, 1918, the Council of People's Commissars convened in Moscow to discuss the Volkhovstroy project, with Lenin presiding over the meeting.
On Lenin’s personal instructions, Grafito oversaw the construction of the Svirskaya HPP starting in 1921. The project, which faced intermittent delays, was completed in 1926 after eight years of work.
After Svirstroy, Groffito was sent to Armenia, where in 1928 he headed the design and construction of the Dzora HPP.
The engineer dedicated all of his work to his constant muse, his beloved wife Antonina Adamovna, who served as his secretary throughout his whole life. As a testament to their partnership, both the Nizhne-Svirskaya and Volkhovskaya hydroelectric power plants were inaugurated on December 19, the anniversary of their wedding day.
On the same day, he announced the completion of the Dzora HPP’s construction and its operational launch, although the test run of the station's generator had taken place on November 15, 1932.
Miraculously, Graftio also managed to escape the "genocide of engineers”.
Marieta Shaginyan informs Stalin that the construction of the Dzora HPP is nearing completion, and that without Heinrich Graftio, it will be impossible to bring the plant into operation.
Upon hearing this, Stalin abandoned the idea of having Graftio executed. He was not arrested but instead transferred to the Academy of Sciences, effectively being “exiled to science”. On March 29, 1932, bypassing all intermediate stages, Heinrich Graftio was “elected” as a full member of the USSR Academy of Sciences.
Heinrich Osipovich was fluent in English, French, German, Italian, and Swedish. He also placed great emphasis on the training of senior technical staff.
An outstanding engineer and, since 1932, an "industrial academician," Heinrich Graftio passed away on April 30, 1949, in Leningrad. His memorial stone is engraved with images and dates marking the major construction projects of his life.
Source: ECTI