Cybernetics in the Soviet Union

Cybernetics in the Soviet Union was a special kind of science. It looked at how systems work and change by using feedback. It became important in the Soviet Union as leaders and scientists changed their ideas about it over time.

At first, from 1950 to 1954, many people in the Soviet Union did not like cybernetics. They thought it was an idea from America and not useful. This changed after Joseph Stalin died and Nikita Khrushchev became leader. Under Khrushchev, scientists started to see cybernetics as important.

By the 1960s, cybernetics became very popular in Soviet science. It helped connect many different areas of study, like structural linguistics and genetics. A group called the Council of Cybernetics was formed to support these ideas. But by the 1980s, cybernetics began to lose its importance. Other fields, like informatics, took over its role.

Official criticism: 1950–1954

In the early 1950s, the Soviet Union did not like the idea of cybernetics. This was partly because they wanted to criticize American culture and technology. A science journalist named Boris Agapov wrote an article making fun of American interest in new computer technology. He called it a "sweet dream" of leaders in the military and industry. He also criticized Norbert Wiener, the founder of cybernetics, saying he was one of many misleading scientists.

Soviet leaders thought cybernetics was a bad idea linked to American interests. They took books about cybernetics out of libraries and wrote many articles saying it was not real science. Even though this criticism did not spread a lot, it showed that the Soviet government did not support cybernetics at the time.

Legitimization and rise: 1954–1961

After the death of Stalin and reforms of the Khrushchev era, people in the Soviet Union started to think differently about cybernetics. Scientists believed cybernetics could help them study problems in a clear, logical way, instead of using old ideas.

One scientist, Anatoly Kitov, found a book about cybernetics in a secret library and realized it was important. He worked with another scientist, Alexey Lyapunov, and they shared their ideas in a journal. Even a philosopher, Ernst Kolman, spoke up in support of cybernetics, which surprised many people.

In 1955, two important articles about cybernetics were published. They explained cybernetics as a useful science, focusing on ideas like information theory and control systems. Soon after, the first computer center in the Soviet Union opened in Moscow.

By 1956, a small group from the Soviet Union attended an international meeting on cybernetics and learned they were behind other countries. Officials then allowed more discussions and publications about the topic. The first Soviet journal about cybernetics started in 1958, and famous scientist Norbert Wiener visited the Soviet Union to share his knowledge with excited researchers.

In 1959, a group was formed to support cybernetics research, led by Aksel Berg. They included many different fields of study. Although plans for a big institute didn’t work out, cybernetics became a popular and accepted science in the Soviet Union during this time.

Peak and decline: 1961–1980s

See also: Academset, OGAS, and VNIIPAS

In the 1960s, many people in the Soviet Union became very interested in cybernetics. Scientists and schools started using the word "cybernetics" more often. Leaders believed cybernetics was important for making life better.

By the early 1970s, people no longer thought cybernetics was strange. But some scientists who liked cybernetics felt uncomfortable and a few left the country. By the 1980s, people started focusing more on a new idea called "informatics."

Computers were used in many different jobs. They helped with solving crimes, looking at medical pictures, and teaching students. In 1985, learning about computers became a normal part of school lessons.

Notable Soviet cyberneticists

Here are some important people who helped develop the study of cybernetics in the Soviet Union:

• Aksel Berg (1893–1979) was a high-ranking official in the Soviet military.
• Yuri Gastev (1928–1993) was a scientist who later moved to a new country in 1981.
• Victor Glushkov (1923–1982) was a mathematician and one of the main founders of cybernetics in the Soviet Union.
• Anatoly Kitov (1920–2005) contributed to the field of cybernetics.
• Andrey Kolmogorov (1903–1987) was a famous mathematician who worked on many areas of science.
• Leonid Kraizmer (1912–2002) was involved in developing cybernetics.
• Alexey Lyapunov (1911–1973) was a mathematician who helped with cybernetics.
• Sergei Sobolev (1908–1989) was another important mathematician in this field.