Johannes Hint facts for kids

Johannes Rudolph Hint (born September 20, 1914 – died September 5, 1985) was an amazing Estonian scientist. He was the only person who managed to start and successfully run his own company, Dessim Ltd, in the Soviet Union. This was a big deal because the Soviet Union had a "planned economy," meaning the government controlled everything, and private businesses were usually not allowed. Through his company, he helped the Soviet Union earn millions!

One of his most important inventions was a special building material called silikaltsiit (also known as Laprex). He created this material using a unique machine called a disintegrator. His inventions are still used today in places like Germany, Austria, the United States, Japan, and Russia.

Early Life and School

Johannes Rudolph Hint was born on September 20, 1914, in a small fishing village called Kuusnõmme. This village is on the west side of Saaremaa island in Estonia. His father, Alexander Hint, was a sailor and even worked in the Estonian government. His mother, Mare Hint, took care of their home.

In 1933, Johannes finished high school at Saaremaa Gymnasium, where he focused on science. He then went to Tartu Ülikool (Tartu University) to study mathematics from 1933 to 1934. Later, from 1935 to 1936, he continued his studies in technology, specializing in building technology. He finally graduated in 1941 as a skilled building engineer from Tallinn's Polytechnic Institute.

His Career and Company

From 1961 to 1966, Hint led the Soviet Institute of Technological Research for his special building material, Silikatsiit (Silicalcite/Laprex). Then, from 1974 to 1981, he became the head of his own construction and technology company, Desintegraator (Disintegrator), which he had started.

In 1977, Desintegraator teamed up with an Austrian company called Simmering-Graz-Pauker. Together, they created an international company named "Dessim." This was a very rare and successful business partnership between the Soviet Union and a Western country. It might have been the only one of its kind!

Amazing Scientific Work

Johannes Hint spent many years experimenting with his special machine, the Disintegrator. This machine could finely grind and mix materials with water, making them super strong, especially for building. Factories that made his Silicatsite (Laprex) material opened first in Estonia, then all over the Soviet Union, and even in Japan and Italy.

His company didn't just focus on building materials. They also made and sold universal disintegrator-activator machines and their special UDA technology.

From 1978 to 1981, the Disintegrator company also started making special biological products. Some of these were food preparations with helpful substances. Even though some people doubted them at first, these products were sold across the Soviet Union and even to Western countries. Later, after Johannes Hint's name was cleared, it was discovered that two of his preparations, AU-8 and L-1, had real medical qualities. A journalist named Siim Kallas even wrote in 1988 that these preparations were great for preserving food. Similar biological products became very popular in the West for nutrition therapy a few years later.

Political Challenges

Johannes Hint joined the Estonian Communist Party between 1941 and 1943, encouraged by his brother Aadu Hint, who later became a famous writer. However, during World War II, the Nazis occupied Estonia. Because Johannes was known as a communist, he was arrested in 1943 and sent to a Nazi concentration camp, where he was supposed to be executed.

But Johannes was clever! He managed to escape from the camp and bravely sailed across the Gulf of Finland in a small fishing boat in the middle of the night. He hoped to reach neutral Sweden, as Finland was allied with Nazi Germany. Unfortunately, he was arrested in Helsinki, Finland, and placed in a prisoner-of-war camp.

After World War II ended, he was returned to Estonia, which was then controlled by the Soviet Union. By the late 1960s, Johannes became very unhappy with the Soviet political system. He became a "free thinker," keeping his own unique ideas and not agreeing with the communist government's ways. He often spoke openly to his friends and co-workers about his feelings against Soviet rule. He even had connections with a secret group called the Estonian Democratic Movement, which was working against the Soviet government.

His Final Years

On November 13, 1981, Johannes Hint was arrested by government officials. He was accused of serious crimes, but these charges were later found to be false. His court case ended in December 1983. The court, which was heavily influenced by politics, found him guilty of misusing his position. He was sentenced to prison for 15 years. All his national awards, honors, scientific degrees, and even his belongings were taken away from him.

Johannes Hint sadly passed away at Patarei Prison Hospital on September 5, 1985. He was buried in Metsakalmistu, Tallinn. However, on April 25, 1989, the Supreme Court of the Soviet Union completely cleared Johannes Hint's name. All his honors and scientific degrees were given back, and some of his confiscated possessions were returned to his family after his death.

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of his birth, the Museum of Occupations in Tallinn opened a small exhibition. It displayed some of his belongings, which were kindly donated to the museum by his daughter.

Awards

• 1949 ENSV (Estonian Socialist Republic of Soviet Union) National Prize
• 1964 ENSV Distinguished Service Medal for Science
• 1962 The Lenin Science Award

Works

Johannes Hint created over 200 scientific publications, had 62 inventions, and held 28 patents in his name.