Research By The Chinese Society Of Engineers (1912-1950)

This paper mainly studies the Chinese Institute of Engineers(C.I.E). Founded in 1912, the C.I.E lasted for nearly 40 years, almost throughout the historical period of the Republic of China. It was the largest science and technology group in modern China, with more than 16,000 individual members, more than 100 group members and more than 50 local branches. It was set up by China's earliest modern engineers such as Zhan Tianyou and Yan Deqing, and for a long period leaded by famous engineers in modern China like Ling Hongxun and Mao Yisheng. It was a gather of modern professional engineers, functioned as a "civilian leader" among engineer group. Through organizing activities such as academic communication and technical cooperation, the C.I.E made an important contribution to the development of modern china's engineering academic and technology.Based on fully grasp of the original files and related materials, the author made a comprehensive and in-depth research on the Chinese Institute of Engineers.First, dig into the history background:On the one hand, trace back to the process when knowledge and technology of modern "engineering" generated in the west and the introduction into China; on the other hand, focus on the birth of modern "professional engineer" in China as well as its growing process as a group.Secondly, comb the historical evolution of Society: The author conducts the combing work according to an order from the "period of the Chinese Institute of Engineers(earlier)" to "period of the Chinese Engineering Society"," period of the C.I.E(mixed)", "period of Anti-Japanese War and postwar Chinese engineers", showing a tortuous development and unique historical trajectory of the Chinese Institute of Engineers.Thirdly, analyze the organization and operation of the C.I.E:Based on the research on elements of the C.I.E such as" Organizational structure", "membership", "group of leaders", to analyze the evolution of organization and system as well as its affect; Through the discussion on "restricting funding problems", to understand the restrictions in operation process and seek for solutions; based on the studies on all previous annual meetings of C.I.E, to sum up characteristics of annual meeting, and to explore the actual effect of its social function.Finally, summarize the historical contributions of C.I.E:The Summary work was mainly conducted from the following four aspects:"engineering research and engineering knowledge popularization", "engineering education and engineering personnel training", "engineering academic and technical specifications clear" and "industrial material experiment". These four tasks are the ones which C.I.E resolved to finish at beginning, and they were indeed adhered during its development process. What's more, they lay a solid foundation for chinese modern engineering to start and develop its business.In conclusion part, the author explored three relationships, "the Society and government", "the Society and other special engineering society" as well as"the Society and engineers group". By putting the C.I.E back to its social network, the author restarted the role positioning for it.As the earliest comprehensive engineering academic group, the Chinese Institute of Engineers had the largest number of members and the biggest influence. It made an important contribution to China's modern engineering career, and its historical significance should never be ignored.