History and general characteristics of the journal “Engineering Matters”

The article analyzes and summarizes the objectivity of reasons and prerequisites for a scientific-technical journal's appearing on the territory of Transcaucasia at the beginning of the XXth century. Having studied a vast range of scientific materials the author has all the grounds to assert that the beginning of the XX th century demanded the appearance of a qualitatively new journal, which would keep a close watch on the national and foreign technique development and would promote implementing of new technical ideas in engineering and construction matters as well as participate in training of engineering technical talents, and primarily serve the progress in the field of national engineering. Applying the method of historical and scientific analysis in the article it is highlighted that the journal Engineering has focused constructive, creative, and organizational efforts on uniting around the editorial board the best creative forces. At various times, the editors of the journal were outstanding Russian scientists and engineers who, developing the problems of the country's technical development, sought to combine scientific and technical achievements of that society with achievements in the field of railway engineering and structural mechanics, thereby increasing the effectiveness of the journal and constantly strengthened ties with readers. It is noted that taken as a whole, the materials of the journal “Engineering Matters” vividly reflect the state of Russian and world science and technology of that time, tell us about the actual contribution of scientists, technicians, engineers and practitioners to the treasury of world science, make a decisive step towards bringing science to solving problems of industrialization of the national economy, develop a number of problems of capital industrial and transport construction, mechanization of mining operations, problems of improving the quality of industrial products. It has been proved that the creation of technical periodicals of the Caucasus branch of the Russian Technical Society was dictated by the requirements of Transcaucasia which acutely needed a quick and competent solution of technological challenges in upbringing scientific and technical staff.