Chapter 182 History of the development of physics in China, the future scientific family
When later generations of researchers sort out the history of physics in China, they are accustomed to starting from the founding of the Republic of China.
In real history, in 1913, Capital University opened the physics major, which was the beginning of higher education in physics in China.
Under the guidance of He Yujie and Xia Yuanwei, the first batch of undergraduate physics majors trained in China graduated in 1916.
Among them were Ding Xubao and Sun Guofeng who later became experimental physicists.
Physics during this period mainly focused on the popularization of knowledge and the establishment of scientific thinking.
The real development of physics research will begin in the late 1920s.
At that time, domestic physics had four main development trajectories.
The first one is the Department of Physics of Huaqing University.
Under the leadership of Ye Qisun and Wu Youxun, the Boxer Indemnity was used as funding to attract strong teachers and excellent students.
The Department of Physics of Huaqing University has cultivated a number of founders of subdivision disciplines for domestic physics, such as Qian Xuesen.
Only among the 53 college graduates in the 9th class who graduated before the Anti-Japanese War, 9 academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences later emerged, and 4 received the "Two Bombs and One Satellite" meritorious service medal.
This is a miracle in the history of Chinese science, but it is a pity that it will never be repeated again.
The second one is the Department of Physics of Yenching University.
This church university took on new vitality after the American missionary Leighton Stuart became its president.
The school implements free teaching.
The Department of Physics is positioned to train physics teachers.
Before 1934, all students who graduated from Yanda became teachers.
This accumulated a profound foundation for the subsequent development of Chinese physics.
The third article is the Institute of Physics of the Beijing Institute of Technology (referred to as the Institute of Physics of the Beijing Institute of Technology).
In 1931, Yan Jici was hired as the director of the Beijing Institute of Physics. Under his leadership, the institute's popularity and research level have been greatly improved.
It has also trained more than ten physicists including Qian Sanqiang.
The fourth one is Capital University.
Although Capital University is the birthplace of higher education in physics in China, the school has always been in a whirlpool because of its special status.
This resulted in frequent changes in the chair of the physics department, which affected normal teaching.
It was not until 1933, when Rao Yutai was hired as the director of the Department of Physics, that the Department of Physics of Peking University regained its prominence.
But then the Anti-Japanese War broke out, and teaching at Peking University was interrupted again. Therefore, it was a pity that a complete development trajectory of physics was never drawn.
The six or seven years before the Anti-Japanese War actually became the "golden age" of Chinese physics and even Chinese academics.
Later, Mr. Wu Dayou, the father of Chinese physics, once said sadly:
“The more than eight years of Anti-Japanese War killed the budding Chinese physics. After the war, it was demobilized and revived. The loss is not the eight years, but the vigor and sustainability of development.”
Many of the teachers and students involved in the above four paths have experience studying abroad, most of them in the United States.
Some people came back in the end, and some people didn't come back in the end.
This is the development of physics in China over the next forty years.
But now Li Qiwei was in 1904. At this point in time, Chinese physics was not even the beginning, at most it was in its infancy.
He Yujie and Xia Yuanzhen were still young boys, but they became their disciples.
However, there is still one person who has made an indelible contribution to Chinese physics.
He is Wang Jilie who is standing in front of Li Qiwei now, one of the important figures who lit up the spark of physics education in China.
Although the other party has not really engaged in physical research, he has no physical results.
But he is still a famous physics educator in modern China and an important figure that cannot be ignored in the history of the development of physics in China.
In real history, Wang Jilie was born in 1873 and is 31 years old this year.
In 1894, he passed the imperial examination.
In 1898, he went to Shanghai Jiangnan Manufacturing Bureau to participate in translation work.
During this period, he studied and studied modern Western physics by himself.
In 1900, Wang Jilie translated the physics textbook of Sakura Kingdom and named the book "Physics".
He chose the word "physics" as the Chinese name for "physics".
Prior to this, the Chinese name of "physics" had always been "Gezhi".
The word physics was not coined by Wang Jilie, it already existed in Chinese.
"Book of Zhou: Chronicles of Emperor Ming" records: "The heaven and the earth are finite, the five constant elements have passed, and people are always in peace. Therefore, life and death are inevitable in physics."
Physics refers to the internal laws or principles of things.
In this "Physics", the content involves mechanics, acoustics, heat, magnetism, electricity, etc.
Moreover, the book also mentions many professional terms, such as accelerated motion, decelerated motion, linear motion, matter, gravity, centripetal force, insulator, battery, etc.
These physics terms have been used until later generations.
Published by Jiangnan Manufacturing Bureau in 1901, this book is the first set of university-level physics textbooks in my country.
Then Wang Jilie began to carry out physics teaching work across the country.
But before Li Qiwei came back, Wang Jilie's work did not receive much attention, just like Xu Qitai's grandfather Xu Shou.
As a result, when He Yujie wrote his own "Physics", he had no idea that this book was still on the market.
And Li Qiwei didn’t know that there was such a figure in the Chinese physics community.
To blame it is that the communication method of the Qing Dynasty at this time was too crude and primitive, and there were not even many telegraphs.
Now that Li Qiwei saw Wang Jilie, of course he showed great curiosity.
"Hello, Wang Jilie, you and I are strangers. Do you have anything to do with me today?"
"And you call yourself a student. Judging from your dress, you must have taken the imperial examination."
"I can't even recite the Four Books and Five Classics, so I don't deserve your modesty."
Wang Jilie is still respectful. He said: "Your achievements in physics are enough to be called a great master."
"And you are also the teacher of the current emperor, so naturally you are the teacher of scholars all over the world."
"The old saying goes: Those who achieve first come first."
"Although Ji Lie is a few years older than you, he is far inferior to you in terms of knowledge."
Li Qiwei was amused and said with a smile: "Since you know my deeds, you understand that I don't like that in the country. There are complicated rules.”
“You and I are not much different in age, so we can call each other our equals.”
“I wonder if Brother Wang is here to give me advice?”
Wang Jilie. I was shocked inside, thinking that this big shot was indeed as rumored, a profoundly Westernized physics master.
Although he already has such a high status, he still treats himself so approachably.
This is completely different from the officials he usually sees.
So, Wang Jilie lost his reserve and said with a smile: "Brother Li is indeed the best among men."
"I saw a report in Science Weekly some time ago. I deeply admire Brother Li’s courage and talent.”
“I came here specifically to learn something.”
"To be honest, I also did some physics-related work when I was in Jiangnan Manufacturing Bureau a few years ago."
"When I saw the "Physics" written by your disciple, Brother Li, He Yujie At that time, I was immediately shocked."
"I am ashamed to say that I have also translated a book called "Physics"."
"But compared with He Yujie's. , Just like the light of fireflies competing with the bright moon."
Li Qiwei showed a surprised expression and asked Wang Jilie to tell the story in detail.
"I didn't expect that there are such great talents like you, Brother Wang, in domestic physics."
"I'm sorry."
"Now my Huangpu University of Technology is recruiting students and recruiting teachers at the same time."
"Brother Wang, if you don't mind, I will take up my position as professor."
Wang Jilie was moved. Before he came, he had an in-depth understanding of Huangpu Institute of Technology.
This private university founded by the current imperial master focuses on the cultivation of natural science and technology, which is in line with the philosophy of their Wang family.
However, he cannot agree now.
"Thank you for your love, Brother Li." "But I will go to Beijing to take the examination at the end of this year."
"If I fail, I will definitely come to Huangpu University of Technology next time. Find a job.”
"I hope Brother Li can take me in when the time comes."
Li Qiwei looked at Wang Jilie and sighed in his heart. The poison of the imperial examination to natural science can be seen.
If history remains unchanged, Wang Jilie will go to Beijing to take the national examination and enter high school this year.
Then he took part in the palace examination and won the second grade, giving him the title of Jinshi.
Although Wang Jilie made great contributions to physics, he came from a family of imperial examinations.
In the eyes of his family, his job in the Jiangnan Manufacturing Bureau was not considered top-notch, and taking the imperial examination was the right path.
Although we know that the imperial examination may be canceled next year, it still cannot stop countless scholars from yearning for the imperial examination.
Because if you pass the exam, you can become an official!
In real history, after Wang Jilie passed the exam, he took a job in the newly established academic department in the second year.
The academic department consists of 5 departments and 12 departments. He is the doctor of the "Specialized Department" and is responsible for the compilation and compilation of professional books in various educational fields.
Later, after the founding of the Republic of China, Wang Jilie was deeply influenced by the Confucian ideology of "loyalty, filial piety, etiquette, and justice" and decided to retire from official service. He moved to Tianjin and devoted himself to studying the art of Kunqu Opera.
His journey in physics and education unfortunately ended prematurely.
Li Qiwei will certainly come to the view that Wang Jilie is a pedantic person from the perspective of future generations.
But if you put yourself into the other person’s perspective, you may get a different feeling.
So, he has no prejudice against Wang Jilie.
Now that he is here in this life, he will naturally not let this big boss go astray again and waste his talents. He must find a way to get the other party back on the right track.
Li Qiwei valued not only Wang Jilie himself, but also his family and future children.
Starting from Wang Jilie's generation, the Wang family has transformed from a family of imperial examinations to a family of science.
Wang Jilie was the eldest son of the prince. His parents had ten children in total, and the third son died early.
The rest are:
The second son, Wang Jitong, is a mathematician and electromechanical expert;
The fourth son, Wang Jidian, is a chemist and a professor at Capital University;
The fifth son, Wang Jixu, has a PhD from Cambridge University and is a professor at Capital University;
< br>The eldest queen Ji Zhao, studied in Japan, majoring in biology;
The second queen Ji Zhao (chai, three tones), chemist, professor at the University of Chicago;
The third queen, Ji Yu, is an educator and the principal of Zhenhua Girls’ School;
The fourth queen, Jishan, is an industrialist and educator;
The fifth queen, Ji Chang, is an educator and the founder of Anding Middle School.
It can be seen that the children are indeed the best, and they are all talents.
Among them, the second son Wang Jitong was the first Chinese scholar to publish mathematics papers in international journals.
The second queen, Ji Tiao, was China's first female doctor of chemistry and was known as "Dr. Preserved Egg".
Because she completed her doctoral thesis in 1918, titled "Chemical Research on Chinese Preserved Eggs and Edible Bird's Nests".
The Fourth Queen Jishan has three daughters, one of whom is He Zehui, and her husband is Qian Sanqiang.
The next generation of Wang Jilie is even more talented.
Wang Jitong’s children are the most important among them. He had 12 children in total, 5 died in infancy and 7 are left. They are:
The third Wang Shuzhen, Doctor of Medicine, founder of Shanghai Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, one of the founders of obstetrics and gynecology in my country;
The fourth son Wang Shoujing, Ph.D. in physics, professor at MIT; once in 1931 -In 1933, served as the dean of the Physics Department of Capital University;
The Fifth Queen Mingzhen, a physicist, graduated from Yan University with an undergraduate degree, and was the first female professor at Huaqing University;
The Seventh Queen Shou Can, studied in the UK, engaged in translation of physics literature;
Ninth son Wang Shourong, precision machinery expert, professor of Nankai University;
The tenth son, Wang Shouwu, is a microelectronics scientist and an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences;
The twelveth son, Wang Shoujue, is a semiconductor device physicist and an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
The reason why the Wang family is able to cultivate so many top talents is largely due to Wang Jilie’s parents.
The Wang family to which the Wang family belongs is a top Jiangnan family in Suzhou that integrates business, imperial examinations, and culture.
In the Ming and Qing dynasties, there were 12 Jinshi and 16 Juren.
Wang Jilie's father, Wang Songwei, was a Jinshi in the fifth year of Guangxu's reign.
When he was the examiner of the National Examination in 1890, he strongly recommended Cai Yuanpei's examination papers, so he was considered to be Cai Yuanpei's mentor.
In addition, Wang Songwei also advocated that scholars "learn measurement, chemistry, and optics."
Wang Jilie's mother's real name was Xie DaDa. After marrying into the Wang family, she changed her husband's surname to her husband's surname, so she was also named Wang Xie DaDa.
She is a famous women’s rights activist and educator in China.
She attaches great importance to women's rights and once said: Perfect limbs are a great blessing, but being unlearned and talentless will eventually be criticized by society.
So, with the help of her friends, she established a girls' school.
And whenever she sees women being treated unfairly, she will stand up and fight against injustice.
She also attaches great importance to modern science and technology education and encourages children to learn Western scientific knowledge.
It is the enlightened new educational ideas of Wang Songwei and Wang Xiedada that have an important impact on the growth of their children.
Of course, as the eldest son, Wang Jilie had the guidance of his parents, but he was deeply influenced by family tradition, so he took the imperial examination.
After all, at this time, no one knows what the future of technology will be like.
The elders of the Wang family still hope that some of their descendants will take the imperial examination route, perhaps hedging their bets.
Facing such a legendary family, Li Qiwei only had admiration in his heart.
He is full of expectations for the future of the Wang family. Maybe some of them can be used by him.
"Haha, Brother Wang, you are worrying too much."
"When you come to Beijing this time, you will definitely be named on the gold list and become famous all over the world."
"When the time comes, how can you be willing to come to my place? It’s a small place.”
Wang Jilie said quickly, “Brother Li, your words will scare me.”
“However, I have many brothers and sisters, and there are a few of them. Very interested in Western science”
"And they have no intention of taking the imperial examination."
"After returning this time, I will definitely promote Brother Li's thirst for talents to them."
"They must be willing to become Huangpu Students of science and engineering."
"I hope Brother Li can take the exam and accept them as students if they pass."
After listening, Li Qiwei suddenly realized that your goal is. here.
He has been wondering, since Wang Jilie is not willing to work here now, then why does he come to see him?
It turned out to be to find a way out for his younger siblings.
Is this how the children of a wealthy family behave?
No wonder the Wang family has been able to remain a prominent family for so long. This foresight alone is enough to create a huge gap between ordinary people.
When the Wang family discovered that the imperial examination had come to an end and science and technology had become the mainstream of society, they immediately fully supported the family's children in the scientific field.
Otherwise, without the support of the family, the Wang family lineage would not develop so smoothly.
As expected, we cannot underestimate any family that can last for hundreds or even thousands of years. The experience and resources they have accumulated are beyond the imagination of ordinary people.
At the same time, Li Qiwei was also fantasizing that he would have more children.
With his future status, the Li family will definitely become the world's number one scientific family.
But he is also afraid of the situation in future generations: his parents are both from Huaqing University, and their children can only go to Lanxiang Technical School.
"That's great. Brother Wang, you have solved my urgent need."
"You are already so outstanding, I guess your brothers and sisters are also amazingly talented people."
" Why don't you take the exam? I will take it when it comes."
Wang Jilie was overjoyed.
Although there are several Western-style schools in China today, none of them can compare with Li Qiwei's university.
He himself had studied physics and naturally understood Li Qiwei's position in the field of physics.
If the children of the family can study under each other's disciples, their achievements in the future will be limitless.
Now that the other party is still in its rough start-up stage, the sooner you join, the stronger your position will be.
The thoughts of a wealthy family are so terrifying.
And Li Qiwei also wanted to take this opportunity to "catch up" the future of the Wang family.
(End of this chapter)