Prof. O.A. Kaibyshev initiated studies on superplasticity of metals and alloys in Ufa in the 70s-80s of the last century. These studies gave momentum to the development of fundamental and applied studies on superplasticity not only in Russia but in numerous laboratories around the world. This paper highlights the major results of this early work and considers their state-ofthe- A rt and development perspectives for the science and practice of materials superplasticity.