Russian small arms designer who most notably designed the world's most popular automatic weapon, the AK-47. He was named a Hero of the Russian Federation in 2009.
His family had to survive by hunting game, and young Mihail frequently used his father's rifle to feed his parents.
As a testament to his weapon's worldwide adoption, it is featured on the flags of several countries.
He was married to Ekaterina Kalashnikova from 1921 until 1977 and they had a son named Victor Kalashnikov.
Russian President Boris Yeltsin personally promoted Mihail to the honorary rank of Major General.
