On the problem of synthesis of superheavy nuclei. A short historical review on first theoretical predictions and new experimental reality

It is shown that it is just Dubna that possesses the priority both in the recent synthesis of a superheavy nucleus with charge Z = 114 (Flerov Laboratory of Nuclear Reactions, JINR) and in its theoretical prediction (Bogoliubov Laboratory of Theoretical Physics, JINR) made 33 years ago. Possible sizes of the island of stability of superheavy nuclei are discussed.