Organisation of Work, Time, Efficiency, Competition Dobri Zhelyazkov And
Organisation of work, time, efficiency, competition Dobri Zhelyazkov and the first textile factory in Bulgaria and on the Balkan peninsula (by Aleksander Zoev) Dobri Zhelyazkov Fotisov - Factory maker (1800 - 1865) is a Bulgarian entrepreneur who founded the first textile production in Sliven and the Balkans in the 1830s. (Monument to Dobri Zhelyazkov in Borisova gradina, Sofia.) Born in Sliven,Ottoman Empire(nowadays Bulgaria), Zhelyazkov studied at the Greek school in his native town. Upon finishing, he tried several handcrafts until he discovered his talent in homespun tailoring. In the 1820s Zhelyazkov introduced an improved wool-carding machine in his work, drawing down upon himself the anger of his competitors, who complained to the authorities. However, this did not stop Zhelyazkov. In 1826, Zhelyazkov co-founded the Secret Brotherhood (Тайно братство, Tayno bratstvo) together with Dr Ivan Seliminski. The organization, initially a social one, would develop into a political society. Following the outbreak of the Russo-Turkish War of 1828–1829, Zhelyazkov took part in the organization of an uprising in the region of Sliven. However, after the signing of the Treaty of Adrianople in 1829, Zhelyazkov was forced to flee to Russia in 1830. He settled in Crimea, marrying another emigrant, Mariyka Yanakieva, and became a wool and cloth merchant, touring the country and observing textile production. In 1834, Zhelyazkov returned to Sliven with his family and settled in his wife's house. There he constructed a production building (2.20 × 4.80 m, 3.80 m high), where he fitted looms, carding and spinning machines constructed by local smiths to designs brought from Russia.
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