In 1712 Peter the Great has moved the capital of the Russian Empire from Moscow to Saint Petersburg. Following the change, official state institutions, civil servants, highly skilled workers, and builders moved in. For two centuries, from 1712 to 1918, St. Petersburg served as the capital of Russia and attracted countless talented, energetic and ambitious individuals, who have contributed to the diverse areas of art and science. This paper discusses contribution of St. Petersburg scientists within the scope of mechanisms and machines discipline.