Innovations and pioneer work in Russia. What the American "historian of science" did not understand or did not want to understand

The article deals with a complex and ambiguous phenomenon in Russian historical practice, i.e., innovations and pioneer work. In the context of the world’s transition to a new industrial order, this topic is of particular importance. Its theoretical development on the materials of national history by historical and economic science began quite recently. Therefore, L. Graham’s book could fill the existing gaps in understanding this phenomenon. The American researcher collected considerable factual material and tried to characterize the Russian innovator, to show the reasons for Russia’s lagging in the promotion of innovative developments and in their commercialization over a long historical period. This article is devoted to the analysis of L. Graham’s research.