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Qian Xuesen's Role in Computer Development of China

Received: 1 October 2023     Accepted: 20 October 2023     Published: 31 October 2023
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Abstract

Qian Xuesen is an important pioneer and founder of China's missile and aerospace technology. What is less well known is that Qian Xuesen also made an important contribution by actively supporting and promoting the establishment and early development of computer science and technology in China. Based on previous research, this paper further examines and reveals the important role played by Qian Xuesen in recommending the inclusion of computer technology in national scientific planning and emergency measures, supporting the training of computer professionals, guiding the development of domestic electronic computers, and promoting the application of computers in missile and space engineering during the nascent period of China's computer industry in the 1950s and 1960s. Qian Xuesen's thoughts and practices on the development of China's computer industry are characterized by the following features: planning the direction of computer industry development from the needs of the country's scientific and technological and industrial foundation and strategic development; training personnel of computer technology personnel from "integration of science and technology, implementation to industry, combination of teaching and scientific research", establishing departments and specialties according to disciplines, aiming at training talents who dare to break through the cutting-edge computer technology; developing computer business must be in line with the law of research and development, and progress in a gradual and orderly manner, firstly, carry out tracking and imitation of specific models of computers in order to solve the engineering problems, and then solve the various application problems.

Published in History Research (Volume 11, Issue 2)
DOI 10.11648/j.history.20231102.14
Page(s) 60-67
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2023. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Qian Xuesen, China's Computer Development, Missile and Aerospace Technology

References
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    Si Hongwei. (2023). Qian Xuesen's Role in Computer Development of China. History Research, 11(2), 60-67. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.history.20231102.14

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    Si Hongwei. Qian Xuesen's Role in Computer Development of China. Hist. Res. 2023, 11(2), 60-67. doi: 10.11648/j.history.20231102.14

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  • @article{10.11648/j.history.20231102.14,
      author = {Si Hongwei},
      title = {Qian Xuesen's Role in Computer Development of China},
      journal = {History Research},
      volume = {11},
      number = {2},
      pages = {60-67},
      doi = {10.11648/j.history.20231102.14},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.history.20231102.14},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.history.20231102.14},
      abstract = {Qian Xuesen is an important pioneer and founder of China's missile and aerospace technology. What is less well known is that Qian Xuesen also made an important contribution by actively supporting and promoting the establishment and early development of computer science and technology in China. Based on previous research, this paper further examines and reveals the important role played by Qian Xuesen in recommending the inclusion of computer technology in national scientific planning and emergency measures, supporting the training of computer professionals, guiding the development of domestic electronic computers, and promoting the application of computers in missile and space engineering during the nascent period of China's computer industry in the 1950s and 1960s. Qian Xuesen's thoughts and practices on the development of China's computer industry are characterized by the following features: planning the direction of computer industry development from the needs of the country's scientific and technological and industrial foundation and strategic development; training personnel of computer technology personnel from "integration of science and technology, implementation to industry, combination of teaching and scientific research", establishing departments and specialties according to disciplines, aiming at training talents who dare to break through the cutting-edge computer technology; developing computer business must be in line with the law of research and development, and progress in a gradual and orderly manner, firstly, carry out tracking and imitation of specific models of computers in order to solve the engineering problems, and then solve the various application problems.
    },
     year = {2023}
    }
    

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    AU  - Si Hongwei
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    AB  - Qian Xuesen is an important pioneer and founder of China's missile and aerospace technology. What is less well known is that Qian Xuesen also made an important contribution by actively supporting and promoting the establishment and early development of computer science and technology in China. Based on previous research, this paper further examines and reveals the important role played by Qian Xuesen in recommending the inclusion of computer technology in national scientific planning and emergency measures, supporting the training of computer professionals, guiding the development of domestic electronic computers, and promoting the application of computers in missile and space engineering during the nascent period of China's computer industry in the 1950s and 1960s. Qian Xuesen's thoughts and practices on the development of China's computer industry are characterized by the following features: planning the direction of computer industry development from the needs of the country's scientific and technological and industrial foundation and strategic development; training personnel of computer technology personnel from "integration of science and technology, implementation to industry, combination of teaching and scientific research", establishing departments and specialties according to disciplines, aiming at training talents who dare to break through the cutting-edge computer technology; developing computer business must be in line with the law of research and development, and progress in a gradual and orderly manner, firstly, carry out tracking and imitation of specific models of computers in order to solve the engineering problems, and then solve the various application problems.
    
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Author Information
  • Institute for the History of Natural Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China

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