★ A golden STEM series (covering matter, structure, mechanics, engineering, biology)!
★ Chosen for the Russian Government & Gaidar Library “100 Best Children’s Books 2025” list! Winner of the “Image of the Book” national award and holder of the non/fiction№ artist certificate!
★ Endorsed by world-famous sci-fi writer Sergey Lukyanenko! Single-title sales already exceed 15,000 copies!
★ Illustrated by Polina Shevchuk—winner of Russia’s “Image of the Book” Illustration & Design Competition and a practicing architect!
★ Raved about by Moscow Radio, *Komsomolskaya Pravda*, *Parents*, *Afisha*, *Bibliograf* and many other media outlets!
★ Rooted in the life of a scientific giant, the book lets kids see the passion behind science and understand how creativity changes the world! Rigorous knowledge + vivid biography = a double-impact reading experience!
★ Beyond showcasing the wonder of science, the series plants the spirit of exploration and innovation—when children close the book, they take away not only knowledge but also a courageous scientific seed.

“From Curiosity to Greatness” series including 5 titles:
*Bringing Order to the Elements (The World of Chemist Dmitri Mendeleev)*
*Creating Miracles in Structures (The World of Engineer Vladimir Shukhov)*
*Igniting the Journey among the Stars (The World of Space Scientist Sergei Korolev)*
*Foreseeing the Future in Gears (The World of Mechanical Genius Ivan Kulibin)*
*Peering into the Universe through a Microscope (The World of Biologist Ilya Mechnikov)*

How a great mechanic is made! This book takes children into the mechanical world of the inventor Ivan Kulibin, who changed the world!
Ivan Kulibin, a great mechanic and inventor, a self-taught genius, whose name has become a symbol over time. Kulibin conceived numerous wonderful inventions. He was the first person in the world to invent the elevator, and great inventions such as prosthetics, spotlights (prototypes of searchlights), signal telegraphs, single-arch permanent bridges, and powered barges also came from Kulibin. One of the most famous exhibits in the Winter Palace, the Peacock Clock, was restored to working order by Kulibin and remains intact to this day.
This book will take you on a journey through time and space to experience Kulibin’s extraordinary wisdom and creativity. He could not only conceive of anything but also turn these conceptions into reality. It is no coincidence that numerous children's engineering societies are named after Kulibin; his story inspires generations of young engineers and inventors. Whether you are a young reader interested in how things work, someone who enjoys biographies and渴望 exploring the world’s mysteries, or a reader wanting to learn about Kulibin and his achievements, this book will provide a spectacular reading experience. Let's step into Kulibin’s mechanical world and experience the wonderful life of this master craftsman.

About the Author
Tim Skorenko
Journalist, popular science writer, finalist for the “Enlightener” Award, author of “Russian Inventions: A History of Russian Inventive Thought from Peter the Great to Nicholas II” and “Soviet Inventions: A History of Soviet Inventive Thought from 1917 to 1991.”

About the Illustrator
Polina Shevchuk
Graduate of the Architecture Department of the St. Petersburg Art Academy and alumna of the Design School of the Higher School of Economics in Russia. Engaged in architectural design, illustration, collecting design and architecture books, and developing educational projects. Loves cycling, participating in architectural competitions, and creative handicrafts. Winner of the “Image of the Book” competition, she is the illustrator of “The World of Engineer Shukhov,” “The Book of Bridges,” and “Mendeleev’s Scientific World.”

Foreword to Adults
Foreword to Children
Childhood and Youth
Clockmaker
Slow Craftsmanship
Closed Loop
Samples and Replicas
Making Clocks for the Empress
How Kulibin Invented the Searchlight
The End of the Searchlight Story
Make Your Own Kulibin Searchlight
Copyright in Russia
How Kulibin Invented the Amphibious Vehicle
Why the Amphibious Vehicle Didn’t Succeed
How Kulibin Invented the Prosthetic
Why Kulibin’s Prosthetic Was a Unique Invention
Kulibin’s Bicycle Invention
Curious Gadgets
How Kulibin Invented the Elevator
Modern Applications of the Screw Elevator
Kulibin’s Wooden Bridge Invention
His Steel Bridge Invention
Ahead of His Time
Kulibin’s Optical Achievements
Inventions in Various Trades
Toys and Fireworks
Beyond Work
The Footprints of a Genius
Born at the Wrong Time and Place
Other Recommended Reading
Other Great Russian Self-Taught Inventors—Kulibin’s Contemporaries