“Here lived and died”. These are the words etched onto the \u041f. \u041b. \u0428\u0438\u043b\u043b\u0438\u043d\u0433\u0443 \u0444\u043e\u043d \u041a\u0430\u043d\u0448\u0442\u0430\u0434\u0442\u0443 Plaque. They mark the former residence of a remarkable man. This plaque commemorates Baron Paul L. Schilling von Canstatt. He was a knight and counsellor. He lived from 1786 to 1837. This plaque honors a versatile inventor often lost to history.
The \u041f. \u041b. \u0428\u0438\u043b\u043b\u0438\u043d\u0433\u0443 \u0444\u043e\u043d \u041a\u0430\u043d\u0448\u0442\u0430\u0434\u0442\u0443 Plaque is on the west border of the Mars Field. It is right in the center of the city. It marks entrance number 7 of the palace where Schilling lived and worked. Paul was born in Reval in April 1786. His father was a Russian Lieutenant. Paul entered his father’s regiment when he was only nine. By his 16th birthday, he joined the Russian General Staff.
Everyone admired Paul’s extraordinary memory. He could memorize large texts in hours. Paul could play chess with three people simultaneously without a board. He also learned many languages. These included Tibetan, Indian, and Chinese. He knew German, Russian, French, Italian, English, Greek, Latin and Mongolian. He even translated Indian Sanskrit texts. Paul never married.
From 1805 to 1812, Paul studied galvanic electric power with physician Soemmering. Due to the Napoleonic wars, he rejoined the army. After Napoleon’s defeat, he returned to St. Petersburg. He then focused on his work as a physicist.
In 1812, Paul invented the first underwater cable. He presented its use in St. Petersburg. He showed it later in Bonn, Paris, and London. In 1832, he presented the first Electromagnetic Needle Telegraph. An English student copied his telegraph model in Germany. This student then patented it in England. It was soon used by the English railway. An American friend of the student learned of Paul’s work. Paul had found a more practical way to transfer news. He replaced letters with points and lines. The American patented this idea as his own.
The Tsar didn’t permit Paul to seek patents. The Tsar feared other nations could misuse Russian inventions. Paul was honored by the Soviet Union in 1987. This marked the 150th year of his invention of the telegraph. They created a postage stamp.
Paul participated in a camel expedition to China to improve relationships. German scientists played a big role in Russia at that time. Many ministries were guided by Germans. Paul died in 1837 at age 51 from an infection. His grave is on the White Russian Lutheran cemetery.
So, as you stand before this \u041f. \u041b. \u0428\u0438\u043b\u043b\u0438\u043d\u0433\u0443 \u0444\u043e\u043d \u041a\u0430\u043d\u0448\u0442\u0430\u0434\u0442\u0443 Plaque remember Paul. Remember his genius and contributions to technology. Consider the recognition he deserved but never fully received in his lifetime.