Technology invades the modern world

Chapter 119 China's First Flagship Product (Seeking Monthly Tickets)
"If we can really build a world-class transistor radio, we shouldn't have to worry about finding buyers through the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance," Dean Qian thought to himself after hearing their idea.

Unlike other scientists who only do scientific research, Dean Qian's status and the nature of his work meant that he had access to a great deal of information from other fields.

There is a lot of information in the internal publications that shows the current tense economic situation in China.

This tension is not only due to a lack of material resources, but also to a shortage of foreign exchange.

Even though they managed to exchange missile technology for a sum of US dollars from the Soviet Union last year, it is still far from enough to meet their current needs.

First, there was trade with Soviet Russia, whose share of China's total foreign trade has decreased from 48% in 59 to less than 10% this year.

Trade with Eastern European countries will also decrease by about half from 20% to 30% in the 50s.

This is mainly because China lacks hard currency and does not have a flagship product that is essential for them.

Dean Qian keenly realized that transistor radios might be a good breakthrough to break the current predicament facing China.

"Can a prototype be built in two months?" Dean Qian asked.

He continued, "If you can build a prototype, the Leipzig Spring Trade Fair will be held in Leipzig, Germany, in early March."

My idea is to exhibit it at the Leipzig Trade Fair and see if we can secure some foreign trade orders from there.

The Leipzig Trade Fair is held twice a year, once in spring and once in autumn, and is one of the most important international trade fairs in East Germany.

This exhibition will not only involve members of the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (COMECON), but also Western countries.

Dean Qian realized that this would be a good opportunity.

"But the premise is that it cannot exceed the understanding of the outside world, cannot show technology that does not belong to the present, but must reflect sufficient technical content and be comparable to the world's best transistor radios," Dean Qian added.

Wu Xijiu pushed up his glasses and said seriously, "I think it's entirely possible."

We don't necessarily have to be the best; we just need to produce the best batch, and then we won't have to worry about sales.

We just need to make crystals that are better than those made by East Germany and Soviet Russia.

I've used the Spidola made by the Soviets; its sensitivity and reliability were very poor, even inferior to America's products from the 1950s.

The German Stern-Radio or RFT are better, but only by a limited margin.

The quality is also unstable.

"In two months, we will definitely be able to build a transistor radio that surpasses theirs."

The Spidola, launched in 1960 by the VEF factory in Latvia, was riddled with problems in terms of sound quality, sensitivity, and reliability.

Moreover, the transistor radios produced by the Soviet Union and East Germany, as well as those produced by America and Japan, were not only ugly in terms of performance but also in terms of design.

They belong to the type that are inferior at first glance.

(Sony TR-63 transistor radio, 1957)

(1960 Spidola radio)
(Internal structure of a Spidola radio)
(Spidola radio circuit diagram)

Despite its various shortcomings, the Spidola radio remains one of the few consumer electronics products from the Soviet Union that can be exported globally.

At this point, the scientists present had a short-term goal: to complete the design of a product that was superior to the Spidola radio within two months.

“Yes, Xi Jiu, you’re right. We can’t keep exporting textiles and agricultural products to our comrades in Eastern Europe. We also need to export some high-tech products to them.”

Among the many scientists, Wu Xijiu, Huang Kun, and Wang Shouwu have a good relationship. They all have similar backgrounds, having studied abroad and returned from overseas.

Huang Kun and Wang Shouwu are of similar age, while Wu Xijiu is about ten years younger.

Of the three, Huang Kun has the air of an elder brother. He has an outstanding resume, having co-authored "The Theory of Lattice Dynamics" with Max Born while in England.

That's Born, the founder of quantum mechanics.

After finishing their work in the morning, the three of them sat together in the cafeteria for lunch. Huang Kun said, "Transistor radios are indeed a good direction."

We have so much to catch up on.

Starting with a transistor radio is a good option because radios have a wide audience and are not technically difficult, making them suitable as a practice device.

But practicing doesn't mean it has no technical content; making a good transistor radio is not an easy task.

Whether it's the manufacturing and purification of transistor raw materials or the manufacturing process of transistors themselves, we still need to explore and refine them.

Alas, it's very likely that, as Dean Qian said, time is running out.

On the other hand, it also provides the country with another channel for earning foreign exchange.

As far as I know, we have never exported electronic industrial products abroad in the past.

If it can actually be manufactured, it will not only alleviate the pressure on the country's foreign exchange reserves, but also be a historic breakthrough.

Wu Xijiu added: "No, there isn't."

The Russians wouldn't even look at the TVs and radios we make.

However, things are different now. We can build a prototype in two months and take it to Leipzig to show the foreigners what it's like.

The Russians also made a Spidola, so a comparison is needed to prove how excellent our transistor radio is.

Wang Shouwu laughed and said, "If you ask me, the direction we've chosen is very suitable."

The very concept of a transistor computer should be miniaturized and integrated, and transistor computers perfectly embody this characteristic.

The Spidola that Xi Jiu mentioned earlier, you may not have seen this thing, but I have. When I was providing technical guidance to the Yanjing Radio Factory, we disassembled a Spidola.

It contains ten transistors, eight P-15 and two P-423, and looks like a lunchbox.

Compared to that thing, it's neither refined nor beautiful.

Wang Shouwu worked at the Institute of Applied Physics. In 58, he was in charge of the research and development of the first batch of transistors. Starting in 57, with the support of the First Five-Year Plan, the Yanjing Radio Factory began to develop transistor radios, and he was responsible for technical guidance.

While the work in Panzhihua was in full swing, the Yanjing Radio Factory was utterly lifeless.

Because you can believe it, overnight, all the factory's top engineers disappeared without a trace.

From the chief engineer down to the senior engineers and even the engineers who had just graduated and started working less than two years ago, everyone was transferred.

"No, Lao Wu, what exactly does the Ministry of Machine Building mean by this? They transferred all our people away without even giving us a heads-up." Chen Yunhui is the director of the Yanjing Radio Factory.

If he weren't the factory manager, he would have to be transferred.

When Chen Yunhui returned from New Year's Day, he heard the devastating news that his secretary, Xiao Li, had come to tell him that no one was there anymore.

He assumed no one was there because the workers hadn't returned to work; he thought it was normal for everyone to be late.

After all, after the two-day holiday, he would have similar thoughts about coming back to work later.

At that time, China did not have a two-day weekend or a work-rest schedule. According to the holiday system of 1949, New Year's Day was only one day, and Sunday was a rest day. January 1, 1962, happened to be a Monday, which was equivalent to having a Sunday off together.

What Xiao Li told him was that all the engineers had been transferred.

That's when he went to the Ministry of Machine Building to cause trouble.

What does it mean that there's no one here? How am I supposed to get things done if there's no one here?

The radio factory undertakes a heavy production and R&D tasks, which are not simply limited to the production of vacuum tube radios and the development of transistor radios. It also includes the production of military and civilian communication equipment, and currently even undertakes the R&D of a few radar equipment components.

"Comrade Yunhui, it's just in time to let you know. I was just thinking of notifying you, and here you are." Old Wu, Wu Yunduo, is known as the Pavel Korchagin of China, a top-notch ruthless man.

If it weren't for the fact that everyone was dead, Chen Yunhui would never have dared to challenge Wu Yunduo.

There's nothing we can do about it.

"You should get ready. The entire Yanjing Radio Factory will be moved inland in stages. Research and development and production will be separated. In terms of factory responsibilities, Yanjing Radio Factory will only be responsible for production, while research and development will be handled by other comrades."

Chen Yunhui stood at attention and said, "I will follow your instructions."

Old Wu, I understand that something must have happened, but isn't it a bit much that the factory didn't even leave me a single engineer?
I don't need to worry about R&D anymore, but do I still need engineers for production? Do I still need engineers to be responsible for optimizing my processes and adjusting the manufacturing process?

Do I need an engineer to repair some of my equipment?
"You've pulled all my engineers away without a second thought; that will still affect our production."

Wu Yunduo said loudly, "I don't have time to waste with your nonsense. Just one sentence: we will gradually assign you a batch of science and engineering students from universities."

All you need to do is retrain them to be engineers in your factory!

Chen Yunhui nodded: "Okay, I understand."

If I may add one more thing, could you perhaps assign me to Tsinghua or Peking University?

Wu Yunduo said, "I'll try my best."

After leaving the Ministry of Machine Building with a heavy heart, Chen Yunhui's mind was filled with thoughts of what to say to the factory workers.

This is no small matter; the entire factory is being relocated inland, meaning families are moving with them.

However, when he returned to the factory, he learned that all the engineers who had been suddenly transferred had moved their entire families.

Because nowadays, people from the same work unit usually live together, and everyone is crammed into the same building.

Therefore, if something happens in someone's family, it is easy for everyone to know about it, and this is the reason why.

Chen Yunhui then learned that the engineers who had disappeared had all moved away with their families on New Year's Day.

This gave him confidence to carry out the work ahead, since some colleagues had already set an example, so what complaints could we possibly have? Yet, he also felt uneasy about this change for reasons unknown.

Similar changes are not limited to radio factories; the impact of the Raspberry Pi is all-encompassing.

Yenching, the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

An office that had been unused for a long time was suddenly emptied, and a sign for the computing center was hung on the door.

Research institutions like the Chinese Academy of Sciences and major universities have all received notifications saying that if they have any needs related to numerical computation, they can send a note to the computing center.

"Everyone, I'd like to briefly mention something. We've recently established a computing center. If you have any numerical calculation needs, feel free to send a note to the computing center. They will respond based on the difficulty and urgency of the task."

Dean Guo said this at an internal meeting.

He served as the president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences from its founding in 49 until his death in 1978.

Although he wasn't sure if the computing center was actually effective, it was an important task assigned from above, so he still did his best to carry it out. As everyone was leaving after the meeting, Dean Guo said, "Director Tu, could you please stay a moment?"

Tu Changwang was a little confused. Why was he the only one left behind?
When only Dean Guo and Tu Changwang remained in the conference room, Dean Guo said, "I don't care whether others value our newly established computing center or not."

But you definitely need to take this seriously.

You're probably aware of the public's complaints about our weather forecasts.

Tu Changwang felt a little embarrassed when this was mentioned.

He is the director of the meteorological bureau, and one of his main jobs is weather forecasting.

He spearheaded the construction of China's meteorological observation network, including the introduction of meteorological technology from the Soviet Union.

Currently, China is still primarily an agricultural country, and its transformation into an industrial nation seems a long way off.

This is why weather forecasting is crucial in agricultural production.

At that time, China's accuracy in weather forecasting fluctuated between 50% and 70%.

The maximum shall not exceed 70%.

Moreover, they can only make short-term predictions, that is, predictions within 48 hours.

Therefore, the public's recognition of their work is limited.

Despite doing a lot of work, the result is that your predictions are not very accurate and provide limited help to farmers.

"Haven't you always wanted to switch to numerical weather prediction?"

The computing center was an opportunity.

"The higher-ups told me that your priority is number one. You bring me the numerical model you need to calculate, and the computing center will calculate it for you as soon as possible, and then broadcast the future weather forecast to the people across the country through various local radio stations," said Dean Guo.

For China, a Raspberry Pi can serve many purposes.

There's too much to make up for.

The task assigned to Dean Qian was urgent and important, and had the highest priority.

The work that Dean Guo is currently assigning is important but not urgent, and it has a high priority.

Because the Raspberry Pi is of great importance and has a very high level of confidentiality, it is not appropriate to make a big fuss about it. The only way to gradually distribute the work is through this method.

Upon hearing this, Tu Changwang was overjoyed: "Has the student council finally agreed to allocate a computer to us?"

That's wonderful.

Tu Changwang, as the director of the Meteorological Bureau, was well aware that China had successfully developed a computer.

He also submitted several reports requesting that they be allocated a Model 107 computer for numerical calculations of the weather.

America, for example, had already used computers for weather forecasting as early as the 50s, mainly using ENIAC or IBM 701.
Unfortunately, the total number of computers that China currently funds for research and development will not exceed five. Given the importance of the Meteorological Bureau, even if it were proposed, it would not be allocated one.

This is determined by material reality.

They still rely on manual calculations and mechanical aids like slide rules and tables for weather forecasting.

After the observation data from various locations were compiled by telegram, weather maps were manually drawn by meteorological bureau staff, and finally analyzed to obtain the results.

America is currently using an IBM 7090 to run three-dimensional primitive equation models, with data from over 1000 weather stations covering North America and the Pacific, as well as observational data from aircraft and ships, for weather forecasting.

The gap between the two sides is evident.

"I'm sorry, we can't assign 107 to you right now, but the help the computing center can provide will be no less than that from the computer."

"You can estimate its computing power as boldly as possible. The atmospheric numerical forecasting you've been longing for should, barring any unforeseen circumstances, be able to help you achieve it," said Dean Guo.

Tu Changwang was initially downcast, but then began to show some curiosity about the computing center.

Since Dean Guo said so, the computing center may not be as good as the computer center, but it can still play a role.

If it can have even a little bit of effect, then it will have a little bit of effect.

"I understand. I'll go back and bring the atmospheric prediction simulation analysis model that I need to work on these next two days to the computing center."

Tu Changwang's meteorological forecasting team had already completed their research on numerical calculation models for weather forecasting.

After all, this isn't anything new.

The reason we relied on statistical empirical methods and primary dynamics in the past was because we had no other choice.
The data you obtain from your observation station is worth calculating the weather changes over 48 hours. If you rely on your brain and hands to do the calculations, by the time you get the result, it will no longer be a forecast, but history.

In the past, due to limitations in technology and resources, it was impossible to utilize the internationally advanced numerical weather prediction technology available today.

Now that Dean Guo has said so, Tu Changwang is determined to bring their most advanced model to the computing center for a thorough calculation.

This can also be considered an estimate of just how powerful the computing center's computing capabilities are.

After returning to the meteorological bureau, Tu Changwang summoned Ye Duzheng, Xie Yibing, and others.

These are all top figures in China's meteorological field.

"I have some good news to share: the government plans to provide us with computing support."

Xie Yibing was overjoyed, "The government is planning to allocate one 107 to us?"

Ye Duzheng was clearly more cautious. "Is it shared with the Institute of Physics?"

Seeing that his two juniors had the same thought as him at first, Tu Changwang couldn't help but smile wryly: "No, it's that we can send the content to be calculated to the newly established computing center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences."

They will calculate the result and return it to us.

Then Tu Changwang continued, "Duzheng, Yibing, let's hurry up and compile the weather forecast model based on numerical analysis as soon as possible, and try to submit it to the computing center before noon today."

"When the time comes, I'll need your help to make a trip."

When Ye Duzheng arrived at the computing center with a stack of papers filled with densely packed data, he was somewhat disappointed.

Because this place is just a very ordinary room.

Only one window was left open, and looking through it, you could clearly see that there were only two staff members inside.

There were no computers, not even abacuses.

How can they calculate their latest numerical prediction model using this?
Ye Duzheng was very skeptical of this.

"Are you from the meteorological bureau?" The staff member sitting at the window, who looked like a cashier, had a unique posture and demeanor.

"Oh, yes, these are the things we need to calculate." Ye Duzheng handed over a stack of envelopes.

The reason we still handed over their weather forecast model was simply because we were already there.

Since we're already here, we can solve many problems.

After the staff member took it, he said, "Okay, comrade, please take a short rest in the lobby on the first floor, or you can go back to work first. We will return the calculation results to you in about two hours."

Now it was Ye Duzheng's turn to be shocked. Two hours was enough?
"We're dealing with a 3-day weather forecast, and we're using our latest numerical analysis model." Before Ye Duzheng could finish speaking...

The staff member interrupted, saying, "I don't understand any numerical analysis models, but we'll give you the results in two hours."

Remember to come and pick it up.

If it weren't for the multiple transfers and the need to conceal China's suddenly increased computing power, it wouldn't even take five minutes. Of course, data input still takes time, and using the Raspberry Pi also takes time.

The estimate of two hours was made by the scientists who were transferred to the Panzhihua base for work, based on their understanding of the situation.

The America Meteorological Bureau, together with the Joint Numerical Weather Prediction Group, typically performs meteorological calculations using the following steps: first, data is manually processed and input using magnetic tape and punch cards; then, the observed data is interpolated onto a grid to generate the initial field.

There is indeed such an organization as the Joint Numerical Weather Prediction Unit (JNWPU).

Starting in 1950, by 1962 America had become very proficient in this area.

After completing the data entry, they used the finite difference method to solve the atmospheric dynamics equations and calculate the state of each grid point in the future time step.

This will take more than ten minutes.

Data entry took more than an hour, and data calculation took more than ten minutes.

In other words, it would take America about two hours, so the computing center's reply to Ye Duzheng was also two hours.

After Ye Duzheng returned to the Meteorological Bureau, Tu Changwang was not there; only Xie Yibing was in the office. Xie Yibing asked, "How did it go?"

Ye Duzheng said helplessly, "They told me to come and pick it up in two hours."

Xie Yibing's expression was similar to Ye Duzheng's at the time; both had their mouths agape, their eyes revealing disbelief: "Two hours?"

Ye Duzheng nodded: "Moreover, that place is just an ordinary room. There's not even an abacus, let alone a computer. There are only two staff members."

The staff sitting by the window didn't even understand numerical models.

In other words, the person at the very back might be the only one in charge of the work.

He alone had to solve our numerical weather prediction model within two hours.

Do you think it's possible?
"Even if Professor Lin came in person, let alone him, he couldn't possibly do it properly."

Lin Ran is also well-known in China.

Especially in academia.

Chinese media have also reported on his story extensively, emphasizing his Chinese identity.

Even his concept of a culturally rich nation has been reported in similar domestic media.

"Let's finish today's weather forecast as soon as possible and then send the forecast information to the provincial meteorological stations in each province and city."

"The newspapers and radio stations are all waiting." Xie Yibing lost all hope at this point.

　Asking for a monthly ticket!

　　I'm releasing two chapters early, totaling 10,000 words. Have a great weekend everyone!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)