Technology invades the modern world

Chapter 140 A Product of a New Era (5k)

At this time, under pressure, China was fully embracing Western academic journals and related publications, with a focus on the semiconductor field.

Do not see do not know.

I was shocked when I saw it.

In the past, everyone was disconnected. Most of the experts in China's semiconductor field returned to China in 55 or earlier, so they were not very familiar with the progress made after 55.

Western journals and magazines helped them fill in the gaps in their knowledge in this area.

The journals that Qu Runpu chose are also very representative.

Journals such as Applied Physics Letters, Physical Review, IEEE Electronic Devices Deal, and Electronic Engineering Times.

Currently, America's entire semiconductor industry is at a critical juncture of technological breakthroughs and market expansion.

No sooner had Chinese scientists confirmed that the Raspberry Pi was a silicon-based transistor than America's industry magazine reported that Silicon Valley's semiconductor industry was already replacing germanium-based transistors on a large scale with silicon-based transistors.

It feels like you've just found your direction, and then you discover that the other person is already way ahead of you.

In 1958 and 1959, Texas Instruments and Fairchild Semiconductor collaborated to invent the integrated circuit. Fairchild introduced silicon mesa transistors based on planar technology and integrated them into early ICs. Texas Instruments, on the other hand, developed simple logic circuits containing multiple silicon transistors.

Based solely on these two news items, Chinese scientists can confirm that the Raspberry Pi is an integrated circuit based on silicon transistors, but with transistors that have achieved super-miniaturization, down to nanometers or even smaller.

Another point is that, in reality, Silicon Valley's semiconductor technology is the grandfather, and Raspberry Pi is the grandson. It is a product of modern technology that emerged decades after Silicon Valley's semiconductor technology developed.

From the Chinese perspective, however, Raspberry Pi is the grandfather, and America's semiconductor industry is the grandson.

It was precisely because of the booming development of the semiconductor industry in Silicon Valley that China subconsciously felt that the Raspberry Pi America received was a batch of goods, like a whole spaceship filled with a box.

Then, Lin Ran, taking advantage of his status and position, secretly obtained one.

After America acquired so many Raspberry Pis, it distributed them to various companies in Silicon Valley, which led to the current booming development of America's semiconductor industry.

In 1962, America's Department of Defense and NASA purchased almost all of its integrated circuit production, which provides indirect evidence for China that this was a coordinated action between the American government and industry.

You have countless machines, and you can disassemble them and crack them however you want. I only have one machine, and it has to provide me with computing power. I dare not touch it at all. What if I can't restore it if I touch it?
Since I dare not make any moves, I can only rely on you to study the spillover effects.

This is also the fundamental logic behind China's increased efforts to import academic journals, and even electronic-related professional magazines, from the West.

These magazines were provided to Huang Yunji through John Thurumpe's channels, and were also purchased by other comrades like Long Sifan.

Finally, it was transported back to China via the Hong Kong sea freight route.

Even with its poor timeliness, this was the most synchronized event China had ever achieved since its founding.

Reports about America's industries will appear in Area 51 within three months at the latest.

Area 51 was also given unprecedented protection, and it would not be an exaggeration to describe it as isolated from the world.

By a twist of fate, China in this era began to directly adopt the IDM (Integrated Device Manufacturer) model in the semiconductor field, and even went further than IDM, becoming the model for Huawei's future.

To explain, there are many models for semiconductor manufacturing. Intel, for example, belongs to the IDM model, which is responsible for everything from design to manufacturing to packaging and testing.

Companies like Nvidia, AMD, and Qualcomm operate on a fabless model; they only design chips, outsourcing chip manufacturing to foundries.

Finally, there's the Foundry model, which is the foundry model like TSMC.

There are other modes besides these.

But the most unique among them must be companies like Huawei, which does almost everything itself.

This is the current model in China.

The entire nation is focusing its efforts on developing Area 51.

What's even more interesting is that China has found a suitable semiconductor product – the Panda brand transistor radio – and has already tasted some of the benefits of this model.

For China, once such a positive cycle is established, it will be an unstoppable trend.

Now, China is looking to LED diode light-emitting devices to find the key to breaking the snowball effect.

At this point, no one in Area 51 was aware of this.

They felt an overwhelming sense of urgency; they couldn't be too much slower than America.

Chengdu, State-owned Factory No. 132.

In 53, the Soviet Union transferred the manufacturing rights for the MiG-15 jet aircraft and the Yak-18 trainer aircraft to China, and provided a complete set of technical data and prototypes.

Both aircraft incorporate engine technology.

Based on this, China began to develop the Type 56 fighter jet.

State-owned Factory 132, established in 1958, was clearly far behind Shenyang Aircraft Corporation in aircraft research and development.

However, China entrusted the important missions of the J-5A all-weather fighter jet and the Shuguang-1 high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft to Factory 132.

This both excited them and made them feel immense pressure.

After the J-20 was successfully developed, Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group (CAC) was referred to by the media as the youngest team, which is actually a long-standing tradition.

Apart from a few core members from Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, the entire team at Factory 132 consists of young engineers trained by the People's Republic of China.

As the chief engineer of Factory 132, Tu Jida felt overwhelmed and under immense pressure.

"Chief Engineer Tu, the army has delivered another shipment. We need you to sign for it," Secretary Xiao Ye said directly from the doorway after knocking.

Tu Jida walked to the camp gate and found another military truck parked outside the factory area, covered by a tarpaulin.

He didn't even need to open it; just by looking at the outline, he knew what it was: the wreckage of a U-2 high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft.

Tu Jida stood at the camp gate, and Zhao Jianjun got off the truck and strode towards Tu Jida.

Zhao Jianjun said in a deep voice, "Chief Engineer Tu, this is the wreckage of a U-2 high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft. Please confirm it, and then sign here."

Tu Jida took a deep breath, because this was the second one.

They shipped one U-2 last month, and now they're shipping another one.

"Okay." After signing, Tu Jida asked, "Old Zhao, I want to ask you something. How come both of them were delivered to my place?"
"Don't Shenyang Aircraft Corporation and Nanjing Aircraft Corporation need to share some of the tasks?"

Zhao Jianjun shook his head and said, "Tu Gong, you should know very well that the country has entrusted the U-2 mission entirely to Factory 132. This heavy responsibility rests solely with you."

Tu Jida nodded slightly, his gaze fixed on the truck, but a heavy weight seemed to press on his heart. He took a deep breath and replied, "Okay, Lao Zhao, I understand the importance of the mission."

Tujida really had little confidence.

Firstly, replicating the U-2 is not easy, and secondly, they also have the task of modifying the J-5, so they don't have enough manpower.

But Tu Jida really didn't understand why the U-2 was being forced onto them, since Shenyang Aircraft Corporation was much stronger.

But he soon understood.

Because it was almost exactly the same time, two weeks later, Secretary Ye knocked on the door and said, "Chief Engineer Tu, a shipment has arrived. Please go and sign for it."

Tu Jida knew that China's missile technology had made progress, and the DF-1, due to its high accuracy, had been sold to the Russians at a high price. Therefore, it was normal for China to shoot down the U-2 high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft.

But to have fought three battles in less than two months is somewhat exaggerated.

Tu Jida thought to himself, "Why don't we just shoot one down every month and piece together the old U-2s from the Americans to create an original U-2 reconnaissance aircraft?"

However, this time, contrary to his expectations, the canvas of the military truck did not bulge.

It wasn't bulging at all; in fact, it was rather shriveled, unlike what one would expect from wreckage.

It wasn't Zhao Jianjun who came, but a comrade he had never met before.

The other party said very little: "Butcher, please sign to confirm."

The receipt only stated "40 boxes of documents," with no further explanation. Tu Jida, filled with doubt, uncovered the canvas and counted—indeed, there were 40 boxes.

"Alright, butcher, keep this a secret."

When he carried the 40 boxes of documents back to the archives, he opened them and saw the words clearly written on the cover:

Technical data on the U-2 high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft

His hands were shaking.

After flipping through two pages, I finally understood the source of China's confidence in making these arrangements.

In the winter of 1962, the wind was biting cold, but a tense yet excited atmosphere filled the confidential conference room of State-owned Factory 132.

Under the dim light, the conference table was piled high with thick documents and drawings. Tu Jida stood in front of the table, his fingers gently tracing the covers. After quickly flipping through them all, he was overwhelmed with indescribable emotions: shock, excitement, and a touch of unease.

Besides Tu Jida, the room also included Li Ming, another technical expert from Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, Professor Wang, who was transferred from the university system to support Factory 132, and Zhang Qiang, a representative from the Air Force.

"Tu Gong, it's been confirmed. This information was obtained through special channels." Zhang Qiang broke the silence first, his voice low and firm.

"The specific source is a top secret, and I cannot say more. But please rest assured that these drawings and parameters have been verified by multiple parties, and their authenticity is beyond doubt. You will also be able to cross-verify the technical data with the aircraft wreckage later."

Tu Jida slowly opened the first document, his gaze falling on the dense lines and annotations. Every page of the U-2's fuselage structure, engine layout, and radar system configuration was like a treasure trove of technology.

He looked up and said, "Director Zhang, I know about the confidentiality requirements, but I'm really curious, how did we get these things? Would the Americans let us obtain their core secrets so easily?"

Zhang Qiang's face was as hard as stone, without any expression: "Director Tu, you don't need to worry about the specific process. This information was indeed obtained with great difficulty."

If there were no access, these documents would be impossible to retrieve no matter how hard one tries.

In other words, Tu Jida is an expert who has grown up independently in China and is unaware of the extent of the difficulties involved.

As a scholar who had returned from studying abroad, Professor Wang was even more aware of the difficulty of obtaining these materials from America.

Professor Wang was completely baffled. Even Professor Lin, who wielded immense power at NASA, couldn't possibly have obtained the technical data on the U-2, could he? He pondered.

U-2 and NASA have absolutely no connection.

Standing to the side, Li Ming eagerly leaned over, flipped open another document, and said excitedly, "Factory Director, look at this! The U-2 engine design and the use of titanium alloys—this is like a windfall for us."

Tu Jida did not immediately agree. He frowned slightly and said in a deep voice, "Engineer Li, don't be too happy yet. Although these technologies are advanced, our industrial base is far behind that of the United States."

Reproducing it is easier said than done.

Professor Wang adjusted his glasses and began slowly and deliberately: "Director Tu is right. With our current materials technology, high-temperature alloys for engines are a major problem. And radar systems—whether our electronics industry can keep up is also unknown."

Zhang Qiang added, "In addition, you can give me any computing needs you have. A new computing center has been established in Yanjing, and I will help you pass on your computing needs to Yanjing."

Regarding the radar system, other manufacturers will contact us later to discuss this need; they will be responsible for manufacturing the radar system.

For Factory 132, which was still in its early stages, it was less about them replicating the U-2 high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft and more about Area 51 working with them to complete the U-2 replication.

After all, for China, having the U-2 would give it greater initiative along the coast.

In addition to Factory 132 receiving a new assignment, Hua Luogeng, who was originally reassigned to Guangzhou to be responsible for academic journal translation and applied mathematical research, also received a transfer order from Yanjing.

To: Comrade Hua Luogeng
According to the latest instructions, in order to accelerate the progress of key scientific research projects, you are being specially transferred to a designated unit to carry out a special mission. This mission is of great importance and must be kept strictly confidential.

Upon receiving this order, please prepare immediately and do not delay.

The transfer order contained only a few short sentences, just like being assigned to Guangzhou.

However, Hua Luogeng was already prepared in his heart. For him, it was simply about going to a new place to make his own contribution to the country.

When he arrived, he found that the place was already bustling with activity.

On the hill closest to Area 51, there is an ancient viewing pavilion that offers a panoramic view of the entire area.

Looking down from above, you can see that construction is in full swing everywhere, from dormitories to factories to office buildings, all kinds of facilities look like they are about to spring up.

"Old Qian, we'll have to cooperate again this time."

Sitting in the pavilion, the weather in Panzhihua in winter is quite nice; even in the dead of winter, it's not particularly cold.

Dean Qian said in a heavy tone: "Yes, we are under tremendous pressure from all sides right now."

We need to concentrate our most elite forces.

Professor Hua, you've also seen the Raspberry Pi. As a mathematician, you should be even more aware of its power.

If we're not careful, we could become sinners for all time.

Hua Luogeng was a top mathematician, and like President Qian, he had a vision that transcended his time.

As a mathematician who promoted optimization and overall planning methods in the 50s and constantly emphasized the importance of efficient computing for solving complex practical problems, he was more deeply moved than anyone else when he saw the Raspberry Pi.

Hua Luogeng deeply agreed with the statement by Dean Qian that they were the sinners of all time: "If we had not been able to replicate the Raspberry Pi, America would have taken the lead and mastered such a powerful tool, and it is very likely that we would never have been able to catch up with America in scientific and technological research."

Although Hua Luogeng lacked a vision for the future and did not know the power that computers could unleash, he was well aware that everything was inseparable from mathematics and computational ability.

Especially in the field of technology.

However, reality was even worse than what Dean Qian and Hua Luogeng had predicted.

An interview by Randolph Lin will soon travel across the ocean and be on the desks of all the scientists at Area 51:

"The Singularity Moment Brought About by Integrated Circuits and Artificial Intelligence - An Interview with Randolph Lin"

This interview, conducted by Time magazine on Christmas Day in 1962, swept the globe in a very short time.

Not only America and China recognized the importance of semiconductors, but the Soviet Union did as well.

The concept of artificial intelligence and the technological singularity first appeared in human society.

Although we are still a long way from artificial intelligence, thanks to Lin Ran's efforts, human society has begun to pay attention to artificial intelligence for the first time.

This requires moving the timeline and shots forward a bit.

Let's go back to the beginning of 1962.

Zhou Yuanshen, a Chinese statistics professor working for IBM Labs and also a professor in the mathematics department at Columbia University, knew Lin Ran.

Lin Ran first persuaded IBM executives to provide them with the IBM 7094 II, which they had already developed but had not yet launched to the market, to develop an artificial intelligence program for chess.

The team was led by Alex Bernstein, assisted by Zhou Yuanshen, and with Lin Ran providing technical guidance.

Claude Shannon laid the theoretical foundation for computer chess, Alan Turing wrote the first hand-simulated chess program, and Alex Bernstein developed a chess program on an IBM 704 in 1957.

This is also the first complete chess program to run on actual hardware, rather than just a theoretical model or manual simulation.

Lin Ran hopes to take it a big step further.

A chess program that can play against humans and defeat them doesn't need to defeat world champions like Deep Blue; it only needs to defeat most human chess players.

Alex Bernstein was thrilled when he learned that Lin Ran had joined the project. He knew all too well how much a top mathematical master could help their project.

The technical guidance provided by Lin Ran greatly impressed IBM's technical team.

He proposed a method to increase the computing power of computers by using multiple 7094 II parallel computing machines, exchanging data through external devices, and manually writing communication protocols and task allocation logic to build a parallel computing framework.

This concept of parallel chess computing, which Belle didn't propose until the 80s, is groundbreaking in the present day.

At the New York Mathematicians' Christmas party, Alex Bernstein stood nervously behind the curtain, waiting for Lin Ran to unveil the curtain and announce to the world the arrival of the artificial intelligence chess player Deep Blue, which was the result of their entire year's work.

They chose to announce it at a new tradition in New York City—the Mathematicians' Christmas party.

What could be more impressive than presenting a machine capable of beating the world's top minds in chess?

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(End of this chapter)