Nikolai Kardashev was a Russian astrophysicist best known for developing the Kardashev Scale, a method for measuring a civilization's technological advancement based on its energy consumption. He proposed three types of civilizations: Type I harnesses all the energy available on its home planet, Type II utilizes energy from its star, and Type III captures energy from its entire galaxy. Kardashev's work has influenced discussions in astrophysics and SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence), as it provides a framework for understanding the potential capabilities of advanced civilizations. His ideas encourage exploration of how humanity might evolve in terms of energy use and technological progress.