Y. T. Li
Encyclopedia
Y. T. Li was an American
engineer
, physicist
(specialized in hydrodynamics), inventor, educator, entrepreneur
, and the Professor Emeritus in Aeronautics and Astronautics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
.
in Beijing
, even though Beiping is the official name for current Beijing in Republic
era). In 1937 Li graduated from the School of Engineering at National Central University
(now called Nanjing University
) in Nanjing
, Jiangsu Province, receiving a Bachelor's degree
in aeronautical engineering.
During the Second World War (the Second Sino-Japanese War
), Li, as the Chief Engineer
at that time, established the first airplane factory in China - the Dading Airplane Factory (大定飛機製造廠) in Dading, current Guizhou Province, Southwestern China. Li also led the building of the first Chinese indigenous aircraft engine
.
Li participated in the examination for the Boxer Rebellion Indemnity Scholarship Program
, and obtained the same score as Qian Xuesen. However, there was only one scholarship awardee and Qian published two or three more articles than Li, so Qian was preferred. Nevertheless, Li went to study in the United States
and received master and doctor's degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
. At MIT, Li co-founded the Man-Vehicle Laboratory. Li was also the Director of the MIT innovation center. In 1951, Li collaborated with Charles Stark Draper
and published an article on optimal control
, which opened a new field of automation
.
Li founded several companies including Dynisco, Setra Ltd. (co-founded with his brother S. Y. Lee
), and Y.T.Li Ltd. Li is also an inventor and has been granted more than 60 US patent
s.
In 1987 Li was elected a member of the United States National Academy of Engineering for "his contributions to innovation in instrumentation, control, and to engineering education'". From 1980 to 1984, Li was the President
of the Chinese American Association.
Li was an important person involved in the peace dialogue between Beijing
and Taipei
during the 1970s and 1980s. Li delivered Chiang Ching-kuo
's personal messages to Deng Xiaoping
when Deng was visiting the United States and Hong Kong
. The diplomatic relationship between Beijing and Taipei
was dramatically softened during the 1980s.
Li passed away on Aug 14th, 2011, at the age of 97.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
engineer
Engineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
, physicist
Physicist
A physicist is a scientist who studies or practices physics. Physicists study a wide range of physical phenomena in many branches of physics spanning all length scales: from sub-atomic particles of which all ordinary matter is made to the behavior of the material Universe as a whole...
(specialized in hydrodynamics), inventor, educator, entrepreneur
Entrepreneur
An entrepreneur is an owner or manager of a business enterprise who makes money through risk and initiative.The term was originally a loanword from French and was first defined by the Irish-French economist Richard Cantillon. Entrepreneur in English is a term applied to a person who is willing to...
, and the Professor Emeritus in Aeronautics and Astronautics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT has five schools and one college, containing a total of 32 academic departments, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technological education and research.Founded in 1861 in...
.
Biography
In 1934 Li graduated from the School of Engineering at Beiping University (北平大學, (different from today's Peking UniversityPeking University
Peking University , colloquially known in Chinese as Beida , is a major research university located in Beijing, China, and a member of the C9 League. It is the first established modern national university of China. It was founded as Imperial University of Peking in 1898 as a replacement of the...
in Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
, even though Beiping is the official name for current Beijing in Republic
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
era). In 1937 Li graduated from the School of Engineering at National Central University
National Central University
National Central University is a national comprehensive university in Taiwan .National Central University was founded in 1915 and originated in 258 CE at Nanjing, China. After NCU in Nanjing was renamed Nanjing University in 1949, NCU was re-established in Taiwan in 1962...
(now called Nanjing University
Nanjing University
Nanjing University , or Nanking University, is one of the oldest and most prestigious institutions of higher learning in China...
) in Nanjing
Nanjing
' is the capital of Jiangsu province in China and has a prominent place in Chinese history and culture, having been the capital of China on several occasions...
, Jiangsu Province, receiving a Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
in aeronautical engineering.
During the Second World War (the Second Sino-Japanese War
Second Sino-Japanese War
The Second Sino-Japanese War was a military conflict fought primarily between the Republic of China and the Empire of Japan. From 1937 to 1941, China fought Japan with some economic help from Germany , the Soviet Union and the United States...
), Li, as the Chief Engineer
Chief Engineer
In marine transportation, the chief engineer is a licensed mariner in charge of the engineering department on a merchant vessel. "Chief engineer" is the official title of someone qualified to oversee the entire engine department; the qualification is colloquially called a "chief's...
at that time, established the first airplane factory in China - the Dading Airplane Factory (大定飛機製造廠) in Dading, current Guizhou Province, Southwestern China. Li also led the building of the first Chinese indigenous aircraft engine
Aircraft engine
An aircraft engine is the component of the propulsion system for an aircraft that generates mechanical power. Aircraft engines are almost always either lightweight piston engines or gas turbines...
.
Li participated in the examination for the Boxer Rebellion Indemnity Scholarship Program
Boxer Rebellion Indemnity Scholarship Program
The Boxer Indemnity Scholarship Program was a scholarship program funded by Boxer Rebellion indemnity money paid to the United States that provided for Chinese students to study in the U.S...
, and obtained the same score as Qian Xuesen. However, there was only one scholarship awardee and Qian published two or three more articles than Li, so Qian was preferred. Nevertheless, Li went to study in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and received master and doctor's degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT has five schools and one college, containing a total of 32 academic departments, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technological education and research.Founded in 1861 in...
. At MIT, Li co-founded the Man-Vehicle Laboratory. Li was also the Director of the MIT innovation center. In 1951, Li collaborated with Charles Stark Draper
Charles Stark Draper
Charles Stark Draper was an American scientist and engineer, often referred to as "the father of inertial navigation." He was the founder and director of the MIT Instrumentation Laboratory, later renamed the Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, which under his direction designed and built the Apollo...
and published an article on optimal control
Optimal control
Optimal control theory, an extension of the calculus of variations, is a mathematical optimization method for deriving control policies. The method is largely due to the work of Lev Pontryagin and his collaborators in the Soviet Union and Richard Bellman in the United States.-General method:Optimal...
, which opened a new field of automation
Automation
Automation is the use of control systems and information technologies to reduce the need for human work in the production of goods and services. In the scope of industrialization, automation is a step beyond mechanization...
.
Li founded several companies including Dynisco, Setra Ltd. (co-founded with his brother S. Y. Lee
S. Y. Lee
S. Y. Lee , is an American inventor, engineer, physicist notable for his research and innovation in hydrodynamics-related technologies. Lee is also an entrepreneur, and Professor Emeritus at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.-Biography:Lee was born in 1922 and grew up in Beiping , China...
), and Y.T.Li Ltd. Li is also an inventor and has been granted more than 60 US patent
Patent
A patent is a form of intellectual property. It consists of a set of exclusive rights granted by a sovereign state to an inventor or their assignee for a limited period of time in exchange for the public disclosure of an invention....
s.
In 1987 Li was elected a member of the United States National Academy of Engineering for "his contributions to innovation in instrumentation, control, and to engineering education'". From 1980 to 1984, Li was the President
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
of the Chinese American Association.
Li was an important person involved in the peace dialogue between Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
and Taipei
Taipei
Taipei City is the capital of the Republic of China and the central city of the largest metropolitan area of Taiwan. Situated at the northern tip of the island, Taipei is located on the Tamsui River, and is about 25 km southwest of Keelung, its port on the Pacific Ocean...
during the 1970s and 1980s. Li delivered Chiang Ching-kuo
Chiang Ching-kuo
Chiang Ching-kuo , Kuomintang politician and leader, was the son of President Chiang Kai-shek and held numerous posts in the government of the Republic of China...
's personal messages to Deng Xiaoping
Deng Xiaoping
Deng Xiaoping was a Chinese politician, statesman, and diplomat. As leader of the Communist Party of China, Deng was a reformer who led China towards a market economy...
when Deng was visiting the United States and Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
. The diplomatic relationship between Beijing and Taipei
Cross-Strait relations
Cross-Strait relations refers to the relations between People's Republic of China and the Republic of China , which lie to the west and east, repectively, of the Taiwan Strait in the west Pacific Ocean....
was dramatically softened during the 1980s.
Li passed away on Aug 14th, 2011, at the age of 97.
Publications
- Education in Creative Engineering; Y. T. Li (Ed.); July 1970.
- Freedom and Enlightenment: My Life As An Educator/Inventor In China and the United States; by Yao Tzu Li; January 2003.
- Technological Innovation in Education and Industry; by Yao Tzu Li; August 1980.