The Chinese Journal for the History of Science and technology  NO.2 2007 

Biography of Li Fo-ki, China’s First Ph. D. in Physics

OU Qijin

(Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai200030, China)

Abstract As the first Ph. D. for physics in China, Li Fo-ki is one of the first batch of graduates from the middle school of Nan Yang College. He was sent to Europe in 1901, and pursued his study at London University, Bonn University and other institutes. In 1907, he ultimately got a Ph. D. degree in physics. His doctoral thesis proves that the theory on flame spectra put forward by P. Lenards, a Nobel prize winner in physics, is a mistake. After his return to China, Li did not continue to do research on physics, but undertook technology instead in factories such as the Han-ye-ping Corporation. He took his residence in Suzhou in 1933, and died in Zigong,Sichuan Province in Sept. 1947.

Key words Li Fo-ki, Ph. D. in physics, biography, study abroad in Europe

A Study on Shicha Algorithm of Parallax Theory in Shoushi Calendar and Huihui Calendar

TANG Quan

(Department of Mathematics, Xianyang Normal University, Xianyang712000, China)

Abstract Shicha algorithm of parallax theory plays an important role in solar eclipse theory because it is one of the major algorithms in solar solar eclipse theory. After studying the Shicha algorithm of parallax theory in Shoushi Calendar and Huihui Calendar, this paper points out that Shicha algorithm in Huihui Calendar is better than that of Shoushi Calendar about the completeness of variables, the choice of the sign of Shicha and the procession of Shicha algorithm, thus concluding that it can help us to evaluate objectively the solar eclipse theory of ancint China and Arabia.

Key words Shicha algorithm, Shoushi Calendar, Huihui Calendar, syzygy, middle of solar eclipse

The Characters of Wang Xichan’s System of the Universe

NING Xiaoyu

(National Time Service Center, CAS, Xi’an 710061, China; Graduate Shool,CAS, Beijing 100039, China;

Institute for the History of Natural Science, CAS, Beijing100010, China)

Abstract Based on Wang Xichan’s three articles about the celestial revolution, Li Shuo V, Ri Yue Zuo You Xuan Wen Da, and Wu Xing Xing Du Jie, this article first analyses the reasons why Wang Xichan reversed the rotation direction of the three superior planets in the Tychonic system, then demonstrates the connection between his geocentric models in Xiao’an Xinfa and the quasi-Tychonic system in Li Shuo V, Ri Yue Zuo You Xuan Wen Da, and Wu Xing Xing Du Jie, and lastly explains the motivation of his corrections for the Tychonic system.

Key words Wang Xichan,Li Shuo, Wu Xing Xing Du Jie, the system of the Universe, rotation direction

Livestock Epidemic Diseases and the Countermeasures by the Song Goverment

HAN Yi

(Institute for the History of Natural Science, CAS, Beijing100010, China)

Abstract Every Chinese government instituted some protective policies for cattle and horses. Because of the change of the mode of breeding, the Song Dynasty attached great importance to cattle and horses as the primary tools for agriculture and transportation after the frequent occurrence and prevalence of livestock epidemic disease during the Northern and Southern Song Dynasties. This article, which is mainly based on Song imperial edicts, discusses the occurrence and prevalence, the causation of livestock epidemic disease and its great impact on agriculture, transportation and military affairs. The article also analyses the differences between Northern and Southern Song government policies on livestock epidemic disease in relation to politico-military affairs and social economy.

Key words Song Dynasty, the Song government, imperial edicts, livestock epidemic disease, policy, agriculture, military affairs

Prof. Wang Zhengduo’s Investigation Note on the Traditional Technology of Shipbuilding

and Navigation Edited with annotation

by LI Qing

( National Museum,Beijing 100006, China )

Abstract This article with many illustrations is an investigation note written by the Prof. Wang Zhenduo in the summer and autumn of 1947. At that time Wang Zhenduo noted down his widespread investigations for the docks, shipyards and the wharves of Zhejiang and Fujian Provinces and his talks with technicians and skilled workers about the traditional technology of shipbuilding and navigation.

Key words　  Wang Zhenduo, coastal areas of China, shipbuilding, navigation, investigation 

Study on the Traditional Papermaking of the Zang Nationality in Sichuan’s Dege County and Tibet’s Nimu County

LI Xiaocen

(Institute of Historical Metallurgy, Beijing University of Science and Technology, Beijing100083, China)

Abstract According to the on-the-spot investigation of traditional papermaking of the Zang nationality in Sichuan’s Dege County and Tibet’s Nimu County, this paper discusses the background, working procedure, tools and produce of papermaking in the two counties. It analyses the conditions of raw materials, the origins of the skills and the cultural features of papermaking by the Zangs. It points out that the papermaking skills of the Zang nationality is different from the skills of traditional Chinese papermaking with use of a moveable mould. Papermaking of the Zang nationality has used a fixed mould which is widespread in the Indian-Pakistan subcontinent and southeast Asia. The paper also prospects the future of traditional papermaking by the Zang nationality.

Key words Tibet, the Zang nationality, papermaking, Dege County, Nimu County

Research Achievements in the History of Chinese Metallurgy Guided by Scientific Research Methods：Reading Collected Papers in the History of Chinese Metallurgy (No.4)

WU Laimin

(Research Labortory for Conservation and Archaeolgy,Shanghai Museum, Shanghai200050,China)

Abstract With use of the research methods for studying the history of metallurgy recommemed by Collected Papers in the History of Chinese Metallurgy (No.4), this article looks into the vital role of documents & historyical materical, scientific investigation, experimental analysis and integration of multi-disciplines to promote the study of the history of metallurgy and materials, and briefs and reviews the major achievemenets in the above work.

Key words research methods, research achievements，Collected Papers in the History of Chinese Metallurgy (No.4)

Commentary on The Prehistoric Bronze Ware of Xinjiang’s Hami Area and Its Relations

 with the Cultures of Neighbouring Districts

YU Zhiyong

(Xinjiang Institute of Archaeology, Urumqi830011, China)

Abstract Qian Wei’s recent work entitled The Prehistoric Bronze Ware of Xinjiang’s Hami Area and Its Relations with the Cultures of Neighbouring Districts is meticulous in analysis and demonstration, and rigorous in logic. The work pays close attention to raw material-technique-product, and to the close relations and organic connections among the three. The research achievements of different archaeological cultures obtained through doing S & T archaeological analysis on bronze ware are almost identical with the judgment and conclusion of traditional archaeology. The work provides new materials and patterns of explanation for analysing archaeological cultural factors. Origial as regards its conclusion, it hsa depth in its analysis. The entire work is permeated with the most challenging reflection of contemporary archaeology for the interpretation of material culture. In point of methodology, it strives hard to integrate S & T archaeology with traditional archaeology.

Key words The Prehistoric Bronze Ware of Xinjiang’s Hami Area and Its Relations with the Cultures of Neighbouring Districts, bronze ware, archaeology

A Review of The History of Metallurgical Technologies in China

LIAN Haiping

(Shanghai Museum, Shanghai200003, China)

Abstract This paper is a review on The History of Metallurgical Technologies in China edited by Sun Shuyun and Li Yanxiang. Based on the archaeological finds, ancient literatures and the achievements on the history of metallurgical technologies in China by researchers from all parts of the world, the above book gives a comprehensive and systematic introduction of the smelting techniques of ferrous and non-ferrous metals, and the techniques of manufacturing copper and iron in ancient China. Most of the researches for the recent 30 years by the Institute of Materials and Metallurgical History in the Beijing University of Science and Technology is also introduced. The book is not only an excellent textbook explaining the profound in simple terms, but also an ideal book for the use of researches on historiography, archaeology and the history of science and technology.

Key words The History of Metallurgical Technologies in China, Sun Shuyun, review

An Alternative Approach to History of Technology: A Review of Francesca Bray’s Technology and Gender: Fabrics of Power in Late Imperial China

ZHANG Meifang

(Research Centre for Science, Technology and Civilization,University of Science and Technology, Beijing100083, China)

Abstract Since 1970s, feminist theory and methodology have greatly influenced the studies on the history of science and technology. As a famous American scholar studying the Chinese history of science and technology, Francesca Bray actively adopted the perspective of gender in her Chinese case studies. In her book entitled Technology and Gender: Fabrics of Power in Late Imperial China, she first looked at the material shell of Chinese family life, then examined the meanings of the productive work that took place there, and finally focused on the women’s quarters and the marital chamber. It is suggested in the book that new perspective can broaden the scope of Chinese history of technology and make one retrospect the traditional view of technology and the studies of history of technology.

Key words Technology and Gender: Fabrics of Power in Late Imperial China，feminism， history of technology

A New Perspective of Technology in Ancient China：A Review of

Francesca Bray’s Technology and Society in Ming China (1368—1644)

SUN Xiaochun

(Institute for the History of Natural Sciences, CA S, Beijing, 100010, China)

Abstract This article provides a brief review of Francesca Bray’s book Technology and Society in Ming China (1368—1644). The book opens up a new outlook of technology in ancient China by approaching it from the perspective of social and cultural anthropology, whereby technology is seen not only as means of material production, but also as network of knowledge for sustaining moral system and social order. Investigating the role played by technology in the transformation of the Ming society, this book reveals that Ming China was a period in which there were considerable innovations in various technologies, definitely not a period of technical stagnation. Applying the concept of “clusters of technology”, it deals with three key technologies in Ming China: agriculture, textile and house architecture. These technologies, Bray argues, constitute a significant cluster of technologies that helped to maintain material and moral order of Ming China.

Key words Ming China, history of technology, cluster of technologies