Electrospark discharges in liquids are the subject of numerous studies, as they are a source of powerful wave pulses that can be used in various technological processes. One of the first researchers of this phenomenon was L.O. Yutkin, who substantiated and investigated the electrohydraulic effect (EHE). This effect allows to transform electrical energy into mechanical energy of powerful shock waves, which opens up great opportunities for increasing the efficiency of various technologies. The purpose of the study is to analyze the history of the study of electric spark discharges in liquids, the contribution of L.O. Yutkin to the development of the theory and practical application of the EHE, and to highlight the advantages of wave treatments based on this effect. In the course of the study, scientific papers and experimental data obtained in the study of electrospark discharges in liquids and the electrohydraulic effect were analyzed. The theoretical foundations of these phenomena were considered, as well as practical applications of EHE in various industries. The electrohydraulic effect (EHE), discovered by L.O. Yutkin, is a unique phenomenon that allows converting electrical energy into mechanical energy of powerful shock waves. This is achieved by generating an electric discharge in a liquid, which leads to the formation of a plasma channel and the subsequent occurrence of a shock wave. The main advantage of wave treatments based on EHE is the ability to introduce large amounts of energy into the medium, which allows to increase the efficiency of numerous technological processes. The electrohydraulic Yutkin effect remains an inexhaustible source for the creation of advanced technologies that are already widely used in many industries