This 1984 postcard from Zaporizhzhia features a triptych of images dedicated to the city’s achievements in the electrical engineering industry. It captures a computing center, the building of the Giproelektro Research Institute, and elements of Zaporozhtransformator’s production facilities.
What is shown on the postcard
The left panel of the postcard depicts the interior of a computing center with operators at workstations, equipped with numerous controls and monitor screens. The central panel displays the multi-story building of the Giproelektro Research Institute, characteristic of Soviet architecture from the 1970s-1980s, with a red car parked in front. The right panel shows a fragment of industrial equipment, presumably a high-voltage transformer substation or workshop, with insulators and electrical installation components.
Historical note
The Giproelektro Research Institute (now JSC “Zaporizhhiagiproelektro”) was a leading design and research organization in the electrical engineering industry of the USSR. It specialized in designing electrical machinery plants, enterprises for cable production, electrical insulation materials, and other equipment. Zaporozhtransformator, founded in 1957, was one of the world’s largest producers of transformer equipment, playing a key role in the electrification of the Soviet Union and exporting products to many countries.
Present day
The former Giproelektro Research Institute building at Tsentralnyi Boulevard, 4a, continues to be in use. JSC “Zaporizhhiagiproelektro” continues its activities in the design of energy facilities. Zaporozhtransformator, in independent Ukraine, faced several challenges but remained a significant player in the transformer market until the full-scale invasion. Its current fate requires further clarification.
Location (map)
Address: Tsentralnyi Boulevard, 4a, Zaporizhzhia, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Ukraine, 69035
Coordinates: 47.834010, 35.158100
(Google Maps)
Coordinate source: Coordinates of the Giproelektro Research Institute building (now JSC “Zaporizhhiagiproelektro”), Tsentralnyi Boulevard, 4a..
Questions and answers
- What is depicted on the 1984 postcard from Zaporizhzhia? The postcard depicts the interior of a computing center, the multi-story building of the Giproelektro Research Institute, and a fragment of industrial equipment, presumably a high-voltage transformer substation or workshop of “Zaporozhtransformator”.
- What was the Giproelektro Research Institute involved in? The Giproelektro Research Institute was a leading design and research organization in the USSR, specializing in the design of electrical machinery plants, and enterprises for the production of cables and electrical insulation materials.
- What was the role of Zaporozhtransformator? Zaporozhtransformator, founded in 1957, was one of the world’s largest producers of transformer equipment, playing a key role in the electrification of the Soviet Union and exporting its products.
See also
The «Old Postcards» archive includes other views of Zaporizhzhia from 1984.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.