[2] Founded September 9, 1918, by decree of the Sovnarkom of the RSFSR in Petrograd as the Higher Institute of Photography and Phototechnics.

In order to develop in Russia photographic and phototechnical knowledge in industry as well as to raise as quickly as possible the level of professional education in all fields of optical, photographic, phototechnical and printing arts and for special scientific research, a State Higher Educational Scientific, Industrial, Cultural and Educational Establishment under the name of the Higher Institute of Photography and Phototechnics was established in Petrograd.

[3] In 1920 in the USSR was developed the technology of domestic production of photographic paper and bromogelatin negative photoplates, construction of first Soviet photo cameras and cinema projectors.

During the Second World War, the institute was evacuated to Pyatigorsk, and later, after the worsening of the military situation, to Samarkand (Uzbekistan).

Research work began to unfold, aimed at improving the equipment and technology of cinematography and related industries, and scientific cooperation between LIKI and the Mosfilm and Lenfilm studios intensified.