The history of studying liquid crystal at the Shubnikov Institute of Crystallography is briefly reviewed. The scientific results of researchers from the institute (starting from the 1960s and leading to the formation of a new field of science: physics of liquid crystals) are presented. In particular, it is shown how the physics of electro-hydrodynamic instability was developed in the 1970s. The origin of the physics of photonic crystals is considered. The discovery of the ferroelectric properties of ultrathin films of polar molecules is described. A breakthrough in the molecular theory of ferroelectricity in liquid crystals in the new century is discussed. The entire abundance of liquid-crystalline phases and processes occurring in them is estimated. An analysis of the participation of researchers from the Institute of Crystallography in the development of liquid-crystal science demonstrates their valuable contribution, which offers perspectives of new studies in this field.
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