Book honors China's 'Mother of Loongson'

Guangxi Normal University Press released the book Gaogui De Pufu: Longxin Zhi Mu Huang Lingyi (Noble Crawling: Huang Lingyi, the Mother of Loongson) at the end of October in Beijing.

Huang Lingyi, born in 1936, is revered as the "Mother of Loongson" — a Chinese-made computer chip — for her lifelong dedication to China's semiconductor and chip industry. After graduating from Huazhong Institute of Technology (now Huazhong University of Science and Technology) in 1958, she committed herself to advancing the nation's science and technology knowledge.

In 1989, while attending an international chip exhibition in Las Vegas, she was struck by the absence of Chinese representation. This experience fueled her determination to design a high-quality chip that could compete on the global stage. Over the following decades, she played a crucial role in the development of the Loongson series processors, from Loongson 1 to Loongson 3. Even in her 80s, she remained deeply involved in research until she passed away in April 2023 at the age of 86.

The Loongson 1, 2, and 3 series processors continue to be influential in various fields today. The recent launches of independent processors like the Loongson 3A6000 and 3C6000 are a testament to the hard work and dedication she put in during her career.

The book, written by Zhong Zhaoyun, offers a detailed look at China's chip industry, tracing its journey from difficult beginnings to achieving self-reliance. It paints a portrait of Huang as a dedicated scientist, while also highlighting the commitment and patriotic spirit of Chinese researchers.

The title "Noble Crawling", inspired by Huang's words that "My greatest wish in life is to crawl on the ground and wipe away the shame from my country", perfectly captures her life of dedication, patriotism, and selfless service.

Zhong spent over a year gathering interviews and researching archives. He beautifully captures the grand narrative of technological self-reliance through the everyday actions and words of Huang, making faith and patriotism tangible, says Huang Wentao, deputy secretary of the Party Committee at Guangxi Normal University.

Xiao Qiming, president of the China Book Review Society, adds, "The greatest strength of this work is that it portrays real people, not deities. The author brings Huang into everyday life, showing greatness in the ordinary. It turns the challenging journey of technological advancement into a touching human story, allowing the chip to embody deep patriotism and stand the test of time."

This book isn't just about one person's success, but a nation's breakthrough at a critical moment, says Wu Yiqin, vice-president of the China Writers Association.

"A chip is more than just a piece of technology; it's tied to the country's fate. By crafting the life of the 'Mother of Loongson' into a captivating narrative, the book serves as both a record of our era and a spiritual journey of scientists contributing to national rejuvenation," he says.