Early advocate of introducing science to the common man
Print Edition
YANG Xiaoshu (1889-1974) is remembered as an early advocate of the popularization of science in China. The scientist, academic and entrepreneur established China Science Books & Apparatus Co.
He was in the first class of graduates from Songjiang Middle School and began studies at Tsinghua University in 1911. Half a year later, he was singled out for his academic excellence and sent by the government to study engineering at Cornell University in the US. After graduation in 1915, he returned to China.
When the China Water Affairs Department decided in 1916 to establish the Rivers and Seas Engineering University, Yang was tapped to join the faculty. He became president of the institution in 1925 and spent years translating English textbooks and compiling a Chinese curriculum at the university.
After the May 30 Massacre in 1925, Yang helped hide young students who had joined a parade to protest the massacre and were pursued by police.
In 1927, Yang was asked to become general secretary of the Civil Engineering Department at Zhongshan University. Out of his strong opposition to the Kuomintang government’s White Terror campaign, he refused the offer.
At that point in his career, Yang decided to dedicate himself to the popularization of science.
In 1929, he was invited to work at the China Council for Science, which has just relocated its headquarters, publishing operations and the editorial team of Science Magazine to Shanghai.
Later Yang and fellow scientists and professors, including Zhong Zhaolin, Cao Huiqun and Gu Jizhi, translated and published a series of engineering books, chemistry dictionaries and other scientific works.
In 1948 and 1949, Yang founded the Dingda Apparatus Factory, the Xinhua Science Apparatus Co. and Xinhua Electric Furnace Plant.
After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Yang invented more than 20 industrial machines related to scientific advancement. He also taught young factory workers concepts of design, production and marketing of science apparatus.
In his article “Science and Education,” Yang noted that science would be dead without education. He advised the government that universities should enroll more science teachers, that primary and middle schools should invest in science labs and that the publication of scientific books and magazines should be encouraged.
He compiled collections of books to teach children how to make electronic devices, showing them that science could be fun.
Yang died in 1974.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
