Chapter 127: Leipzig Trade Fair
Lin Ran was eager to promote shipping standards, and placing the Asia-Pacific region at such a high priority, one very important reason was that Vietnam was about to fully engage in war soon.
Later historical records will tell you it started in 1961.
In reality, America personally entered the fray, waiting until 1964 to land in Da Nang, then starting operations with a large group of little brothers.
From Korea to Vietnam, Japan as a supplier only provided materials without sending troops, equivalent to reaping two waves of war dividends.
Japan reaped huge dividends through America’s bases and industrial orders in shipbuilding, cars, and electronics—these three fields—making it the biggest winner during the Vietnam War.
Meanwhile, Korea sent troops to participate in the war and took on military engineering projects, with export volume growing several times in the 1960s.
Besides Japan and Korea, the third beneficiary was Hong Kong.
As a neighboring free port, Hong Kong became a hot spot for America’s logistical supplies and troop vacations.
Part of the orders for materials procured by American troops flowed to Hong Kong’s manufacturing sector, mainly textiles, clothing, and electronic products.
Statistics show that throughout the 1960s, Hong Kong’s exports to America rose from about 20% to over 40% of its total exports, basically all directly benefiting from the Vietnam War.
Completing construction of the only internationally standardized seaport in the entire Asia-Pacific region ahead of time could help Hong Kong attract more orders from America during the Vietnam War.
Besides seaport modifications, Lin Ran’s relationship with McNamara was equally important.
The more Hong Kong eats, the less Japan eats.
In other words, Japan didn’t know the Vietnam War was about to expand comprehensively, with the Americans personally entering at Da Nang.
If Japan knew, as a postwar economy that had already reaped one wave of war dividends, they would probably even pay out of pocket to quickly modify ports like Yokohama, Tokyo, and Osaka.
“Produce one generation, pre-research the next.”
In the factory building of the semiconductor research group, such words were posted.
This was the standard they had set.
“Of course, Xijiu, I’m well aware that the Raspberry Pi’s materials are definitely not germanium transistors; it might be silicon transistors developed by Texas Instruments in the 1950s.
Or possibly some other materials we don’t know about.
In terms of physical properties, silicon transistors are also more suitable.” Xie Xide said.
As solid-state physicists in Group 2 of Area 51, Xie Xide and Huang Kun were mainly responsible for theoretical guidance.
With the computing power provided by the Raspberry Pi, they thrived in theory.
Achieving an effect greater than one plus one.
At this time, not to mention that China could only make germanium transistors, even the Russians could only make germanium transistors.
Or rather, at this current time point, global semiconductor technology was still dominated by germanium transistors, with silicon transistors only commercially mass-produced by Texas Instruments.
At this time, whether Sony’s TR-63 transistor radio, the Soviet Union’s Spidola radio, or America’s own Regency TR-1, without exception, all used germanium transistors.
But Wu Xijiu wanted to skip germanium transistors and directly enter silicon transistors.
Huang Kun interrupted: “Xijiu, silicon transistors are the materials we need to research for the next generation.
Compared to silicon transistors now, optimizing our past processes is more realistic.
Professor Xie and I are calculating the parameters of the zone refining method from a theoretical level, so we can directly refine high-purity germanium crystals, also preparing for subsequent silicon purification.”
Xie Xide added: “Professor Wang found the zone refining method proposed by William Pfann in the Journal of Metals.
We extracted the distribution coefficient and diffusion model from his original paper, combined with germanium’s melting point, thermal conductivity, and other physical properties for research.
We have now reproduced his theoretical curves, proving that this theory is applicable in our subsequent optimized processes.
Including the optimal number of purifications; with help from colleagues in the troublesome math group building a convolution parameter model, we determined that the number of purifications needed to minimize impurity concentration is between 3 and 5 times.”
Led by Xie Xide and Huang Kun, colleagues from the Chinese Academy of Sciences Mathematics Institute and Physics Institute assigned to this work cooperated, starting from distribution coefficients, diffusion dynamics, and thermodynamics to establish mathematical models.
Relying on the Raspberry Pi’s super computing power, they successfully derived the optimal process parameters for germanium crystal purification through numerical simulation and optimization algorithms, including melt zone speed of 1-2 mm/min, 3-5 purifications, etc.
The existence of the Raspberry Pi greatly reduced their trial-and-error costs.
Moreover, this was not only researching germanium crystal purification but also preparing for subsequent silicon crystal manufacturing.
Wu Xijiu, however, felt they could skip germanium transistors and directly enter silicon transistor research.
Because Wu Xijiu didn’t place much emphasis on the transistor radio task; he felt that even if produced in two months, given China’s current hostile relations with both sides, it would be hard to sell.
Better to concentrate efforts on reproducing the Raspberry Pi.
This idea was like America wanting to skip prerequisite satellites and manned spaceflight in the space race and directly compete on moon landing.
It seemed like setting a grand goal, but actually to evade short-term competition.
Since Lin Ran joined NASA, America no longer mentioned that whoever wins the moon landing first wins the space race, or that intermediate wins don’t count.
Huang Kun checked the prototype: “The transistor leakage current has dropped to 5 microamps, a significant improvement. Zone refining purified three times; the equipment almost couldn’t hold up.”
Wang Shouwu adjusted the circuitry: “Push-pull amplification uses two transistors; the transformer I wound myself, turns ratio 5:1, welded overnight yesterday.”
Wang Shoujue connected the 9V battery: “Antenna extended, signal coming from Central Radio; let’s hear the effect.”
After turning on the power, the speaker first emitted a slight hiss, followed by the Central People’s Broadcasting Station announcer: “This is Central People’s Broadcasting Station; today is February 15, 1962…”
Wang Shouwu frowned: “Noise is still a bit high; probably the input stage impedance isn’t tuned right.”
Wang Shoujue quickly measured the bias voltage with an instrument: “0.3V, temperature compensation is working, more stable than yesterday.”
Then they switched to a music program.
Wang Shoujue said delightedly: “Bass is much stronger than old vacuum tube radios! 50 Hz is audible; the speaker shakes the table.”
Huang Kun was clearly not too pleased; they weren’t comparing to past vacuum tube radios—they at least had to make world-class products.
Indifferently nodding: “Frequency response to eight thousand Hz, treble clear too; at least not worse than the Russians’ Spidola.
The Russians think they can make a comeback in the electronics industry with Spidola? Dream on!”
Comparing to the Russians’ Spidola, they found their prototype not only louder but also much better in detail performance.
Later, using a signal generator to input different frequency signals and recording output waveforms, a Li-named engineer calculated the signal-to-noise ratio:
“About 38 decibels; no major drift even at 40 degrees temperature rise.”
Wang Shoujue tested power: “1.5 watts, a bit higher than planned; battery can handle it.”
To simulate a more realistic environment, Huang Kun took the prototype outdoors; the signal remained clear: “For foreign trade, this effect won’t disappoint Europeans who like the outdoors.”
But it wasn’t completely problem-free.
Tests revealed slight sound quality drop at high temperatures; Huang Kun analyzed: “Germanium transistors are still temperature-sensitive; heat sink needs thickening. I suggest reducing the feedback capacitor a bit, try 10 picofarads; noise should be suppressible.”
After two hours of adjustments, noise reduced, sound quality purer.
The final effect, in their view, was much better than the Sony TR-182 old Zhong brought them from Hong Kong, let alone the Russians’ Spidola.
“Just one last step.” Wu Xijiu carefully assembled the welded badged casing.
Led by Huang Kun, the semiconductor Group 2 started from the most basic germanium crystal process level and delivered it to Dean Qian’s hands before the Trade Promotion Committee departed on March 1.
Dean Qian took the slightly heavy transistor radio from Huang Kun, rubbing the panda pattern on it and subconsciously asking: “Panda brand?”
Huang Kun nodded: “Exactly; our most famous overseas is the panda.
Shanghai Cigarette Factory’s exported cigarettes are also Panda brand; I heard Trade Promotion Committee comrades mention that in Leipzig, Panda brand cigarettes were quite popular.
Since there’s an existing brand right there, we might as well not overthink it, not come up with another brand, and just use Panda.”
Dean Qian asked: “Confident?”
Huang Kun was filled with ambition at the moment, though he couldn’t personally fly to the Leipzig Trade Fair site to see the attendees’ reactions.
But he was absolutely confident this transistor radio would be a hit in Leipzig: “Very confident.
Old Qian, you’ll know once you hear it.”
As one of China’s rare top theoretical physicists at the time, Huang Kun had fully applied his knowledge this period, concentrating past accumulations into a showcase on this small radio.
Dean Qian placed the radio on the table: “Come on, you tell me first what you’ve done.”
Huang Kun said: “First is the purification of pure germanium single crystals.
Before, we could only reach one part per million precision; now we can reach one part per billion.
Directly from ppm level to ppb level.
Reducing impurities reduces carrier scattering, reduces leakage current; lower leakage current means less noise, improving audio signal clarity.
We always knew zone refining could purify germanium single crystals, but we couldn’t get specific parameters.
Our resources are limited; we couldn’t repeatedly trial those process parameters.
But with the Raspberry Pi, it’s different; we can first derive a relatively precise impurity concentration distribution curve, get process parameter maps, then gradually approach that limit.
Directly skipping steps requiring massive experiments and simplified models.”
Without the Raspberry Pi, besides massive experiments, you’d have to simplify your model to a one-dimensional approximation and manually calculate a rough result.
“Purely in terms of pure germanium single crystal purity, it should match the West’s most advanced level.
This is still because our crystal pulling equipment and refining equipment are outdated Soviet products; if we could get America’s latest manufacturing equipment, purity could go up several more notches.”
Huang Kun clearly looked down on Soviet equipment, but no choice—the Americans’ outdated equipment couldn’t be bought now either.
“Besides process purity improvements and transistor improvements, in audio circuit design, the Raspberry Pi gave us a lot of inspiration.
In the base bias circuit, we added a parallel diode in the superheterodyne audio amplification stage to reduce noise and distortion from high temperatures.
Also, I used a pair of PNP and NPN germanium transistors to design a simple push-pull circuit to enhance bass performance.”
Huang Kun’s team had dense innovations numbering around ten.
Some like those used by the Soviets, such as push-pull circuits, common in the Soviet Spidola radio.
But different from the Soviets’ push-pull circuits, China benefited from high-precision transistors to design better-performing ones with advanced transformers.
At the time, only America’s high-end portable radio Zenith Royal 1000 used such circuits.
Dean Qian turned it on to listen to the sparse current broadcasts; compared to them, he had heard more radios.
At least in volume and sound quality, he judged this device no inferior to any radio he had encountered before.
“Professor Huang, you must do thorough testing on stability too.
I believe it will be welcomed in Leipzig.
As one of the few products comparable to Western electronic products, sales volume is definitely not a worry.
After subsequent large-scale deliveries, stability must be ensured; quality control will naturally be handled by the factory.” Dean Qian instructed.
Huang Kun nodded: “Naturally.
This Panda 1 is just the beginning; only after silicon transistor technology breakthrough and transistor miniaturization progress can we talk about real breakthroughs.”
March 1, Yanjing, eve of departure.
This trip to the Leipzig Trade Fair was led by Deputy Secretary-General Li Mingde of the Trade Promotion Committee.
Zhang Zhigang was a veteran of the Trade Promotion Committee, having run to East Germany for trade fairs starting five years ago.
But never had he been more expectant than this time.
Because in the past, China could only showcase agricultural products and textiles; this was the first time bringing their industrial products to exhibit.
“How many units do you think the Panda brand radio can sell?” Zhang Zhigang asked.
Li Hongbo was from the radio factory, fully participated in making the Panda brand radio in Panzhihua, and was going to Leipzig this time to handle equipment debugging and maintenance.
Of course, he didn’t know about the Raspberry Pi; in his view, it was simply that the Chinese Academy of Sciences solid-state physics experts were too awesome, figuring out in two months what the radio factory couldn’t research in two years.
“Five thousand units! At least five thousand orders should be no problem.” Li Hongbo estimated conservatively; after all, China hadn’t sold a single one before.
Zhang Zhigang counted on his fingers: “Five thousand units, at 20 US dollars pricing, that’s 100,000 US dollars! This little thing earning 100,000 US dollars in foreign exchange? How much rice and silk would that take?”
Li Hongbo helplessly said: “I’m just guessing. And if popular, first 5000 units, second time maybe 50,000 units, that’s one million US dollars.”
“One million!” Hearing this number, Zhang Zhigang’s voice rose; since everyone was resting on the special plane, he lowered it: “Really sell 50,000 units?
If one million US dollars, that would exceed our total trade volume from every annual Leipzig Trade Fair combined.”
“I’m just hoping.” Li Hongbo said.
Chilly early spring in East Germany’s Leipzig welcomed the Leipzig Spring Trade Fair.
Compared to past years, this one was special; it was the first spring fair after the Berlin Wall, and last year’s autumn fair wasn’t pleasant.
This time was similar.
West Germany was already calling for everyone not to attend the Leipzig Trade Fair.
After arriving in Leipzig, the Chinese delegation checked into the simple hotel arranged by East Germany.
At dinner, Li Mingde motivated the team: “This exhibition is of great significance; our transistor radio must show the world our strength.”
Early next morning, the delegation arrived at the venue, setting up their booth in the Eastern Europe zone.
Though small, the booth was neatly arranged.
Technicians took the Panda brand radios from wooden crates and placed them in glass display cases.
The radio prototypes used dark gray plastic casings, printed with a panda pattern.
The background board hung a bilingual Chinese-German slogan: “Chinese Industry, Going Global”.
Li Hongbo debugged the radio, tuned to Central Radio frequency; the announcer’s voice came clearly: “This is Central People’s Broadcasting Station…”
He said satisfied: “Signal very stable, even better than domestic. Long heard East Germany’s broadcast system has strong compatibility, but our radio performs well.”
On opening day, crowds surged; seemingly unaffected by last year’s Berlin Crisis, exhibitors and purchasers from different camps gathered. China’s booth was unassuming, but the “transistor radio” label still drew many gazes.
After all, everyone subconsciously thought Chinese products would have price advantages.
Just like at the Canton Fair, seeing African manufacturers selling electronic products, you’d think their prices must be lower, otherwise how to beat China?
Current purchasers had similar thoughts; China exhibiting as a whole, without enough confidence, how dare they position the transistor radio as their flagship product.
This was different from what they exhibited at Leipzig fairs in past years.
A local Leipzig purchasing manager, Hermann Schmidt, came to the booth.
He asked in German: “Is this a Chinese product? What transistors does it use?”
Li Mingde answered fluently in German: “This is our latest developed Panda brand radio, using domestically produced Chinese germanium transistors, stable performance, excellent sound quality.”
After trying it, the other said surprised: “Sound quality good; how much?”
“Export price 20 US dollars per unit, 50% cheaper than Japanese same-quality products,” Li Mingde said.
Schmidt nodded, handed over his business card: “We’re interested; can you provide technical data?” Li Mingde happily arranged for Li Hongbo to hand over the technical manual.
Purchase intentions on the first day boosted the delegation’s morale.
But they celebrated a bit early; inquiring purchasers came continuously.
Clearly, after learning Chinese goods’ prices, everyone had intent to understand.
