Štefan Butkovič (1918–1991) was a Slovak historian, museologist, and author specializing in the history of science, technology, and mining. He is recognized for his significant contributions to the documentation and preservation of industrial heritage in Slovakia.
Butkovič served as a prominent director of the Slovak Technical Museum (Slovenské technické múzeum) in Košice. During his tenure, he was instrumental in expanding the museum's collections and research activities, particularly focusing on the history of metallurgy, mining, and mechanical engineering in the Carpathian region.
His scholarly output consists of several monographs that remain foundational texts in Slovak industrial history. Among his most notable works is Dejiny ťažby soli v Solivare (History of Salt Mining in Solivar, 1978), which details the technical and social history of the salt extraction facilities in Prešov-Solivar. He also authored História slovenského drahého opálu (History of Slovak Precious Opal, 1970), a comprehensive study of the opal mines in the Dubník area, which were historically the only source of precious opal in Europe and the world's most significant source prior to discoveries in Australia.
Butkovič's work is characterized by a reliance on archival research and a focus on the intersection of technological advancement and regional economic development. His efforts in museology helped establish systematic methods for the conservation of technical monuments in Slovakia.