Mikhail Kalashnikov
Mikhail Kalashnikov
Lieutenant-General Mikhail Timofeyevich Kalashnikovwas a Russian general, inventor, military engineer, writer and small arms designer. He is most famous for developing the AK-47 assault rifle and its improvements, the AKM and AK-74, as well as the PK machine gun...
NationalityRussian
ProfessionInventor
Date of Birth10 November 1919
CountryRussian Federation
abroad allowed bulgaria clearance early golden left mention sands secret top travel
For years, I had a top secret clearance and never left Russia. Just once did I go to Bulgaria with my wife for a holiday at the Golden Sands resort, but I could not mention my real name. I was allowed to travel abroad only in the early 1990s.
believes best bit bitterness compared designer feels impressive less performance test
Any designer believes his gun is the best, and when its test performance is a bit less impressive compared to others, he feels bitterness and envy.
side
The negative side is that sometimes it is beyond control.
designed mill
We had grain but no mills, so I designed a special mill of wood so we could make flour.
hard
I shot with it a lot. I still do now. That is why I am hard of hearing.
composed continued home life sake work
Life is composed of different inventions. I have continued to work at different things and rebuilt my home all by myself. I did it for the sake of satisfaction at doing something.
simple useful-things complexes
Things that are complex are not useful, Things that are useful are simple.
ak-47 people example
I would prefer to have invented a machine that people could use and that would help farmers with their work - for example a lawnmower.
ak-47 weapons faults
I created a weapon to defend the borders of my motherland. It's not my fault that it's being used where it shouldn't be. The politicians are more to blame for this.
appreciation fields something-new
Before attempting to create something new, it is vital to have a good appreciation of everything that already exists in this field.
simple men ak-47
When a young man, I read somewhere the following: God the Almighty said, 'All that is too complex is unnecessary, and it is simple that is needed' ... So this has been my lifetime motto – I have been creating weapons to defend the borders of my fatherland, to be simple and reliable.
sleep agreement ak-47
I sleep well. It's the politicians who are to blame for failing to come to an agreement and resorting to violence.
ak-47 people facts
The fact that people die because of an AK-47 is not because of the designer, but because of politics.
ak-47 fire elements
It is painful for me to see when criminal elements of all kinds fire from my weapon.