This article studies a forgotten research project of recent Finnish history of information technology by the name of “Suomalainen tietokoneprojekti”, in English “The Finnish Computer Project”(FICO). The FICO project was a... more
This article studies a forgotten research project of recent Finnish history of information technology by the name of “Suomalainen tietokoneprojekti”, in English “The Finnish Computer Project”(FICO). The FICO project was a government-sponsored research project initially aimed at producing a Finnish (mini) computer for international markets, especially in socialist countries. Researchers carried out the project in 1975-1976. After the researchers had produced their preliminary study report in six months time, the project was however not continued. I argue that historians have misrepresented the FICO project in recent research and when properly studied, the project can offer new perspectives to an early development phase of present-like
science and technology policy in Finland. Notwithstanding FICO’s topicality, this article focuses on examining what the involved people meant by the “national task” of the project. I further argue that we can best understand FICO as a continuation of earlier ideas on building high technology, in this case electronics and computers, capabilities and expertise as a Finnish national project. Moreover, focusing on these distinct national projections in action might offer one key to understanding similar attempts at “national projects” in other countries as well.
Keywords: Computer industry, survey, national project, state-ownership, The Finnish Computer Project, Hans Andersin
Wireless and Mobile Networks Security This book provides a cutting-edge examination of research and/or security solutions in wireless and mobile networks. It begins by covering the security basic concepts and fundamentals constituting a... more
Wireless and Mobile Networks Security This book provides a cutting-edge examination of research and/or security solutions in wireless and mobile networks. It begins by covering the security basic concepts and fundamentals constituting a base of knowledge necessary for the ...
The development and transfer of computing technology in postwar Czechoslovakia and Finland, two countries lying directly on the border between the two cold war blocs, were shaped by a mix of factors, from the political to the... more
The development and transfer of computing technology in postwar Czechoslovakia and Finland, two countries lying directly on the border between the two cold war blocs, were shaped by a mix of factors, from the political to the technological, in both countries. This article describes and analyzes the factors influencing the transfer of computing technology in cold war Europe on the basis of comparison of the national histories of these two frontier countries. Although the first computers were put into operation in the two countries during the second half of the 1950s, Czechoslovakia's industrial tradition concealed its gradual lagging behind Finland. During the postwar decade, the possibility of the transfer of computing technology and practices was a crucial factor in the spreading of computing technology in both countries. It was the commercial transfer of computers from the West to Finland that made their availability there, until the mid-1970s, relatively grow to three times that of Czechoslovakia. However, while the physical transfer of actual computers across the Iron Curtain was difficult, the intangible transfer of related ideas, designs, and practices was much easier. Moreover, it was not only politics that affected this technological development, but technology was also used to affect politics and form political ties.
"Tarkastelun kohteena on erityisesti Nim-pelikone, joka rakennettiin Suomen ensimmäiseksi tarkoitetun ESKO-tietokoneen ohella. Kirjoittamiseni taustalla on ajatus siitä, että ehkä tietotekniikka-alan nykyinen kokeellisuus ja... more
"Tarkastelun kohteena on erityisesti Nim-pelikone, joka rakennettiin Suomen ensimmäiseksi tarkoitetun ESKO-tietokoneen ohella. Kirjoittamiseni taustalla on ajatus siitä, että ehkä tietotekniikka-alan nykyinen kokeellisuus ja leikkimielisyys juontaa kauemmas kuin on yleisesti tultu ajatelleeksi."
Tutkimus ”Ilmarisen Suomi” ja sen tekijät tarjoaa uutta tietoa ja historiallisen tulkinnan huipputeknologisen Suomen rakentamisesta sodanjälkeisenä aikana. Kirja kertoo ESKO-tietokoneen tekijöiden monipuolisesta toiminnasta sekä koneen... more
Tutkimus ”Ilmarisen Suomi” ja sen tekijät tarjoaa uutta tietoa ja historiallisen tulkinnan huipputeknologisen Suomen rakentamisesta sodanjälkeisenä aikana. Kirja kertoo ESKO-tietokoneen tekijöiden monipuolisesta toiminnasta sekä koneen kohtalosta 1950-luvulla. ESKOa rakennuttanut Matematiikkakonekomitea (19541960) suunnitteli laitteesta Suomen ensimmäistä tietokonetta, mutta kirjassa esitetyn tulkinnan mukaan komitealla oli myös laajempia, kansallisia ihanteita ja tavoitteita, kuten kansallisen keskuslaskutoimiston perustaminen. -- The dissertation “Building ‘Ilmarinen’s Finland’: The Committee for Mathematical Machines and computer construction as a national project in the 1950s” examines the history of information technology and nationalism in the 1950’s Finland.
Abstract: In this article, the first Finnish computer construction, previously claimed to have produced only an out-dated machine, is studied as an integral part of an attempt to establish a national computer center in Finland. I argue... more
Abstract: In this article, the first Finnish computer construction, previously claimed to have produced only an out-dated machine, is studied as an integral part of an attempt to establish a national computer center in Finland. I argue that the aim of the Finnish Committee for ...
