The following is a repository of unorganized canon topics related to the Russian America timeline.
Alaskan-Based Companies[]
Automotive[]
- Gerts (Герц)
- This timeline's equivalent to Hertz Global Holdings.
- Founded by Ivan Gerts (Austrian immigrant).
- Gerts was also the [partial] founded of Shashechka.
- Unorganized List
- Budget Rent a Car — Founded by Morris Mirkin* (Russian descent).[1]
Aviation[]
- Sikorsky (Сикорский)
- This universe's equivalent to Sikorsky Aircraft.
- Founded by Igor Sikorsky (Russo-Ukrainian immigrant).
- It's very possible that Sikorsky (ATL) would continue in their development and manufacturing of fixed-wing aircraft (outside their helicopter division).
- Igor Sikorsky was instrumental in the history of pre-World War I Russian aviation (e.g., Ilya Muromets, Russky Vityaz).
- In the United States (OTL), Sikorsky would develop flying boats (specifically for Pan Am) up to the late-1930s.
- The Westland affair may still happen here (*angry Heseltine noises*).
Yakovlev Logo (OTL/RELATED).
- Yakovlev (Яковлев)
- This universe's equivalent to the Yakovlev Design Bureau.
- Formed by Aleksandr Yakovlev (Russian immigrant).
- Aleksandr's father (Sergey Yakovlev) was an employee of Branobel (OTL).
- With the backing (or reassurance) of Branobel, Sergey opts to relocate his family to Alaska after 1917.
- Aleksandr was a teenager at the time and would follow his family to Alaska.
Banking[]
Azy Logo.
- Azy (Азы)
- Formed from the Alaskan (and foreign) assets of the Russo-Asiatic Bank.
- The word azy is a Russian idiom referring to the fundamentals of something (literally the "ABCs").
- Would be a subsidiary (or for a time was a subsidiary) of the French-based Société Générale.
- Azy was the primary backer/creator of a charge card/payment system used in Alaska (equivalent to Visa Inc. and MasterCard).
- The Manchurian-based branches of the RAB (in OTL) printed their own money for a time.
- Gosudarstvenny Bank Alaski (Государственный банк Аляски) • Bank Alaski (Банк Аляски)
- This timeline's equivalent to the National Bank of Alaska.
- Not to be confused with the First National Bank Alaska.
- Founded by Andrew Stevenson* (potentially of Scandinavian descent).
- Controlled by Edward Rasmuson* (Swedish immigrant) and his son, Elmer* (Swedish descent).
- Does not merge with Vells-Fargo (see below) and remains a major bank in Alaska.
- This timeline's equivalent to the National Bank of Alaska.
- Vells-Fargo (Веллс-Фарго) • Uells-Fargo (Уэллс-Фарго) • ViF (ВиФ) • UiF (УиФ)
- This timeline's equivalent to Wells Fargo.
- William Fargo and Henry Wells (both American immigrants).
- Both men abandoned their first company (American Express) in order get involed in the California Gold Rush.
- It's conceivable both men would do the same here.
VTB Logo (OTL/UNRELATED).
- VTB (ВТБ) — Vneshtorgbank (Внешторгбанк)
- Abbreviation for "International Trade Bank" (Внешнеторговый банк, Vneshnetorgovy bank).
- Formed from the Alaskan (and foreign) assets of the Russian Bank for Foreign Trade.
- Not to be confused with VTB Bank of OTL (which may be butterflied [at least in name] out of existence in TTL).
Electronics[]
- Magnavoks (Магнавокс) — Gromky Golos (Громкий голос) — GG (ГГ)
- This universe's equivalent to Magnavox.
- Founded by Peter L. Jensen* (Danish immigrant).
- Jensen relocated to California (OTL) to work for the Federal Telegraph Company.
- It was because of this that Magnavox was founded in Napa, California.
- For this to work (ATL) we'd have to assume that Jensen opts to work for an Alaskan-based company (perhaps STiT) and remains in Alaska.
- Orekhov (Орехов) — Orekhovsky (Ореховский)
- This universe's equivalent to the Oreck Corporation.
- Founded by David Orekhov/Orekhovsky (Russian descent).[2]
- Worked alongside David Sarnov and even married his niece (Polina Sarnova).
- The original [Oreck] vacuum cleaner was an abandoned design by Whirlpool.
- Due to this, I'm [NuclearVacuum] open to the idea that Orekhov/Orekhovsky expands into more home appliances (instead of just vacuums).
- Polyaroid (Поляроид)
- This universe's equivalent to the Polaroid Corporation.
- Founded by Edvin Lantsov (Russian descent).
- Yensen (Йенсен/Енсен)
- This universe's equivalent to Jensen Loudspeakers.
- Founded by Peter L. Jensen* (Danish immigrant) after leaving Magnavoks (see above).
- Yezhevika (Ежевика)
- This universe's equivalent to BlackBerry.
- Founded by Mikhail Lazaridis (Greco-Turkish immigrant).
- The word yezhevika is the Russian translation of "blackberry" (which was named because the buttons looked like seeds).
- Unorganized List
- "Ampex" — Founded by Aleksandr Ponyatov (Russian immigrant).
- "Duracell" — Invented by Samuel Ruben* (Ukrainian descent).[3]
- Originally established under a partnership with P. R. Mallory and Co Inc (100% American).
- Given that Duracell (in name only) was only established in 1964 as a brand of Mallory (unsure who coined the term) it's unclear whether the name would even exist here.
Food[]
- Baskin-Ryabinov (Баскин-Рябинов) — BiR (БиР)
- This universe's equivalent to Baskin-Robbins.
- Founded by Burt Baskin* (Russian Jewish descent) and Irv Robbins* (original surname was Rabinowitz; Russian Jewish descent).
- Baskin is already a Russian surname. Ryabinov approximate Russification of Rabinowitz.
- Bitkom Nabity Orekhami (Битком набитый орехами)[4]
- This universe's equivalent to Chock full o'Nuts.
- Founded by Vasily Chernov (Russo-Lithuanian-Jewish immigrant).[5]
- It would be interesting to see the restaurant chains still operating and expanding across Alaska (along with the coffee brand).
- This may be a stretch due to the restaurants being limited to New York City (OTL) and their overall image of cleanliness.
- Feygo (Фейго)
- This universe's equivalent to Faygo.
- Founded by brothers Perry* and Veniamin Feygenson (both Russian immigrants).
- Gospodin Ponchik (Господин Пончик) — G-n Ponchik (Г-н Пончик)
- This universe's equivalent to Mister Donut.
- Founded by Garry Vinokur (Jewish immigrant).[6]
- He was the brother-in-law of William Rosenberg* (the founder of Dunkin' Donuts).
- Karvelev (Карвелёв, Karvelyov)
- This universe's equivalent to Carvel.
- Founded by Foma Karvelev (born Athanasios Karvelas; Greek immigrant).
- Karvelev/Karvelyov is an approximate Russification of Karvelas.
- Konradi (Конради)
- Formed from the Alaskan (and foreign) assets of the Konradi Chocolate Factory.
- Moris Morishovich Konradi (grandson of the company's founder) would emigrate to Alaska instead of Switzerland.
- Due to this, Moris isn't radicalized to the point of assassinating Vatslav Vorovsky (Bolshevik and Soviet diplomat).
- Instead, he'd be motivated to resurrect the brand and honor his family.
- He may use his company to help promote anti-communist movements and spread propaganda. This would make things exciting post-1990s.
- Malenky Tsezar (Маленький Цезарь)
- This universe's equivalent to Little Caesars.
- Founded by Mikhail Ilich (Macedonian descent).
Otkryty Logo (OUTDATED).
- Otkryty (Открытый) — Otkryty Zavarnik (Открытый заварник)
- This universe's equivalent to Dunkin' Donuts.
- Founded by William Rosenberg* (Russian descent).[7]
- Otkryty is the Russian word for "open" and is in reference to the original name Open Kettle.
- A direct translation of the English dunkin[g] donuts isn't workable within Russian (or at least doesn't sound good as a company name).
- There isn't a Russian word for kettle (at least not in the same manner as in English).
- The closest equivalent would be chaynik, which literally means "teapot" (which sounds too limiting).
- Given that the company has begun to rebrand itself as Dunkin', this makes using a single-word name workable.
- Alternative names for the company could include:
- Ranza (Ранза) — Rantsa (Ранца)
- This universe's equivalent to Runza.
- Founded by Sally Everett* (Volga German descent).[10]
- Would emerge as one of the biggest Alaskan fast food chains. Would have restaurants across Alaska and the world.
- Would be the first Alaskan chain to open in the Soviet Union (potentially in the Latvian SSR) by the early-1990s.
- Schastye (Счастье) — Chistaya (Чистая)
- This universe's equivalent to Shasta.
- Founded near Mount Shasta and originally bottled from the mineral springs there.
- Znamenity Natan (Знаменитый Натан)[11]
- This timeline's equivalent to Nathan's Famous.
- Founded by Natan Khandverker (Galician/Polish immigrant)[12] and his wife Ida (Russian descent).[13]
- Znamenity Natan literally translates as "Famous Nathan" in Russian.
- This is because trying to translate "Nathan's Famous" into Russian would be too complicated for a business name.
Logistics[]
ESP Logo.
- ESP (ЕСП) — Yedinaya Sluzhba Posylok (Единая служба посылок)
- This timeline's equivalent to the United Parcel Service (UPS).
- Founded by James E. Casey* (Irish descent).[14]
- James' father was born in Ireland and his mother was born in Massachusetts to Irish immigrant parents.
- Because the parents moved to, and lived in, the Lake Tahoe area; I believe it's conceivable that they could move to Alaska in TTL.
- Yedinaya sluzhba posylok literally translates a "the United Service of Parcels" in Russian.
Media[]
- Bratya Voronovy (Братья Вороновы) — BraVoronovy (БраВороновы) — BraVo (БраВо)
- This universe's equivalent of Warner Bros.
- Founded by brothers Harry*, Albert*, Sam*, and Jack L. Warner* (all Polish Jewish immigrants).
- Voronov is an approximate Russification of Wonsal and/or Wonskolaser.
Paley Logo (WIP).
- Paley (Палей) — Paley Radio System (Радиосистема «Палей», Radiosistema "Paley")
- In a loose sense, this universe's equivalent to CBS.
- Founded by Vasily Paley (Ukrainian ancestry) and brothers Isaac* and Leon Levy* (unknown ancestry).
- CBS would still exist in the United States (at least in name only).
- Potential nicknames would include:
RKA Logo.
- RKA (РКА) — Radio Company of Alaska (Радиокомпания Аляски, Radiokompaniya Alyaski)
- In a loose sense, this universe's equivalent to NBC, ABC, and the Broadcasting Company of America.
- Founded by David Sarnov (Belarusian immigrant).
- NBC (and likely ABC) would still exist in the United States (at least in name only).
- The name is in homage to the Broadcasting Company of America and the Radio Corporation of America (RCA).
- Founded as a subsidiary of STiT (telecommunications) and Pavlov (electronics).
- Due to this, RKA's history would follow an alternate history of the BCA under AT&T.
- The peacock logo would be incorporated here (instead of TTL's American NBC) due to the following:
- Sarnov was instrumental in the development and adoption of color television (which the original version of this logo showcased).
- The logo was designed by Herb Lubalin* (original) and Ivan Chermayev (modern). Both are of (likely) Russian descent.
- Potential nicknames would include:
- Peacock Network (сеть павлина, set pavlina) — For obvious reasons.
Miscellaneous[]
- Layka (Лайка) — Khaski (Хаски)
- This timeline's equivalent to Husky.
- Founded by Sigmund Mandl* (Czech immigrant).[15]
- The word layka is used in Russian to refer to a broad range of dog breeds (including the husky).
- It isn't in reference to Laika.
- It may still become an store brand of Domashny Sklad (see below).
- Vlchek (Влчек)
- This timeline's equivalent to the Vlchek Tool Company.
- Founded by Frantsisk Vlchek (Czech immigrant).[16]
- Unorganized List
- Les Petroles d'Outre-Mer ("Overseas Petroleum") — Founded by brothers Abram and Pavel Gukasov (Russian/Armenian immigrants).[17][18]
- The brothers were originally the founders of the Caspian Partnership (one of the major oil companies in pre-Soviet Russia).
- "Overseas Petroleum" was founded in France (OTL) and was an oil shipping company.
- It also included shipbuilding and construction.
- Potential fates may include:
Retail[]
- Bayevsky (Баевский)
- This universe's equivalent to Myer.
- Founded by brothers Elcon* and Sergey Bayevsky (both Russian immigrants).
Domashny Sklad Logo.
- Domashny Sklad (Домашний склад)
- This universe's equivalent to The Home Depot.
- Founded by Bernard Marcus* (Russian Jewish descent) and Arthur Blank* (Jewish descent).
- Not to be confused with Domashny Sklad[20][21] of OTL (which may be butterflied [at least in name] out of existence in TTL).
- Pravaya Pomoshch (Правая помощь)
- This universe's equivalent to Rite Aid.
- Founded by Alex Grass (Belarusian Jewish descent).
- Skhemnoye Selo (Схемное село) — Pogruzochnaya Ploshchadka (Погрузочная площадка) — Vradskoy (Врадской) — Vid i Zvuk (Вид и звук)
- This timeline's equivalent to Circuit City.
- Founded by Samuil Vurtsel (Russian and Austrian descent).[22]
- Skhemnoye selo translates as "circuit village" (keeping with the alliteration).
- Alternative names for the company could include:
- Vradskoy (Врадской) — In reference to the name Wards, which was a made-up name based on the initials of the Wurtzel family.[23]
- Vid i Zvuk (Вид и звук) — "Sight and Sound" (in reference to Sight-n-Sound).
- Pogruzochnaya Ploshchadka (Погрузочная площадка) — "Loading Area" (in reference to the name Wards Loading Dock).
- TsOP (ЦОП) — Tsentry Obshchego Pitaniya (Центры общего питания, "Centers for General Nutrition")[26][27]
- This universe's equivalent to GNC.
- Founded by David Shakaryan (Armenian descent).
- [Ironically] A subsidiary of the Harbin Pharmaceutical Group (not related to TTL's Manchuria).
- Valgren (Вальгрен)
- This universe's equivalent to Walgreens.
- Founded by Karl Valgren (Swedish descent).
- Fun fact: Walgreen (OTL) was a funder of the Byrd Antarctic Expedition and got a coast named after him. I see something similar happening in Ldinny Materik.
- Zeyer (Зейер/Зеер)
- This universe's equivalent to Zayre.
- Founded by brothers Max* and Morris Feldberg* (Russian Jewish immigrants).
- The name comes from Yiddish zeyer ("very").
- The Russian spelling could be either «Зейер» or «Зеер» (both transliterated as Zeyer).
- I personally prefer the latter spelling as it looks more unique.
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