A survey of the development and state of the art of metal forming processes in the USSR is presented. The basis for the present-day achievements has been laid by theoretical work on the theory of metal processing by pressure, the general theories of rolling, forging and stamping, drawing, etc. , and on the appropriate technology and equipment. Among the greatest achievements was construction of Soviet blooming and slabbing mills, continuous rolling mills, continuous casting of nonferrous metals and steel with appropriate changes in the technology of metal forming, steel tube manufacture, manufacture of bent shapes, and the technology of pressing and molding. Application of vacuum technology has greatly improved the quality of metallic materials, bimetals, composite materials, refractory materials, gas-absorbing and oxidizing metals. 23 refs.