The Chinese Journal for the History of Science and technology  NO.3 2003

China's Plan and Measures for Computing Technology and Soviet Assistance in the 1950s……ZHANG Jiu-chun，ZHANG Bai-chun

【Abstract】 Following its establishment on Nov. 1, 1949, the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) began to play an important role in China's undertakings of science and techology. According to the demand of Chinese government for long-term plan of developing science and technology, the government programming committee called together many Chinese scientists and mapped out 1956—1967 Development Plan of Science and Technology in 1956 with the help of Soviet scientists. The plan includes computing technology.In order to set up some important technologies including computing technology in the development plan as quickly as possible, the government programming committee put forward four emergency measures by the demand of the premier, Zhou Enlai. Thereby CAS constituted a preparatory committee for the Institute of Computing Technology in 1956 according to the principle of centralizing first and then decentralizing, which was put forward by Hua Luogeng. Most of the scientists of the preparatory committee came from CAS, the others from the Second Ministry of Machine-Building Industry, the Third Department of PLA Headquarters of the General Staff and the Ministry of Higher Education. In 1958—1959, CAS successfully copied M-3 and БЭСМ-Ⅱ computers.From mapping out to copying Soviet computer, China had all along received great assistance from the Soviet Union. According to the files of CAS and its Institute of Computing Technology and the recollections of scientists, this article sums up the Soviet Union's role in developing computing technology in China and shows the transfer of computing technology from the Soviet Union to China by introducing several aspects: mapping out, investigating and studying computing techology in the Soviet Union, discussing and signing agreement, training persons with ability and computer-copying.

National Bureau of Industrial Research During the Period of the Repubilc of China……WANG Jun-ming

【Abstract】 National Bureau of Industrial Research(NBIR)was the largest institute for industrial research and test during period of the Republic of China(1912—1949).Basing on lots of filed documents,this article introduces the basic information about NBIR,including its establishment,objectives,organization and evolution,work scope,important research activities and its main charactistics and achievements.

Chinese Students Studying in the Medical Colleges of Japan in the Late Qing Dynasty and Their Contribution to Modern Medicine of China……NIU Ya-hua

【Abstract】 At the beginning of the 20th century,many students went to Japan from China and studied in the medical colleges of Japan.After graduation,they came back to China,working in all kinds of medical fields.This paper introduces the general situation of them in the late Qing Dynasty,gives a brief account of the lives and activities of 163 students,and comes to the conclusion that they had made great contribution to medical popularization,management,education and research in China,and that their works had greatly changed the status of medicine in China.

Junshu in Lixiang Kaocheng Houbian……LU Da-long

【Abstract】 The concept of yingsuocha,one of the basic concepts in ancient Chinese astronomy,is equivalent to the concept of Junshu in Lixiang Kaochen Houbian.The formula for junshu in the Theory of the Solar Equation,volume 1 of Lixiang Kaochen Houbian,was expressed in trigonometric function,not solved in the form of Kepler's equation.The theoretical model of astronomy for the solar motion was “the simplified elliptic”,which had been invented by Western astronomers in the 17th century,although it calculated the solar parameters by making use of Isaac Newton's value 365d.24233442 for the sidereal year,as it was pronounced.

The Map of Cheng-Fu Village Surveyed and Drawn by Chou Pei-Yuan and Tu Zhi As Students in Tsinghua University……ZHAO Yue-kun

【Abstract】 The Map of Cheng-Fu Village,which appeared in 1924 as an attachment to Attempt of Social Investigation by Prof.Chen Da of Tsinghua University,was published in the Journal of Tsinghua (now called Journal of Tsinghua University),Vol.1,No.2.Prof.Chen's article is an early report on social investigation in China,while the surveying and drawing of the map were participated earlier in 1924 by Chou Pei-Yuan and Tu Zhi as students of Tsinghua University.Chou and Tu are both famous scientists in China.The former is a physicist,and the latter is an agriculturalist.The map surveyed and drawn by them shows the river,yard walls,house gates and trees in Cheng-Fu Village.It is an early map for a village in the western suburbs of Beijing,as well as Chou's and Tu's early stage work in Tsinghua University.The map may serve as an important document for inquiring into the scientific career of Chou Pei-Yuan and Tu Shi,especially for looking into the history of Tsinghua University.It may also help one to study the social changes of Cheng-Fu Village and the villages to the west of old Beijing.

Discovery and Analysis of Preface to “Outline of Copper-soaking……SUN Cheng-ping

【Abstract】 Among the immense amount of charts in ancient Huizhou region,the author discovered the preface and postcript to “Outline of Copper-soaking”,which is a lost monography on soaking copper in cholic acid during the Song Dyasty. This paper provides information about the monography, its author, writing process, applications and the reasons for its loss.Furthermore,it tries to keep preious statistics about brave explorations,careful examinations and contributions made by several generations of Zhang's family to science and technology in ancient China.

Insulin Synthesis in Peking University: An Interview with Prof. Shi Putao……XIONG Wei-min

【Abstract】 There were a few turns in the project of insulin synthesis, which cost many research units almost 7 years of time. As the record of an interview with Prof. Shi Putao, who is an important participator in insulin synthesis, this article mainly covers the causes of the turns and the detailed process of insulin synthesis carried out in Peking University. From the retrospect of Shi Putao about large formation warfare, disputes between research units, the general comment in 1978 and his evaluation of insulin synthesis, we can not only make out clearly the trail of “the science road of proletariate" , but also the impact of outer factors on science.