Cybernetics in the Soviet Union

Cybernetics in the Soviet Union was a special part of science that studied how systems work and change through feedback. It became important in the Soviet Union as the country's leaders and scientists changed their ideas about it over time.

At first, from 1950 to 1954, many in the Soviet Union thought badly of cybernetics. They saw it as an idea from America that was not useful. This changed after Joseph Stalin died and Nikita Khrushchev took over. Under Khrushchev's rule, scientists began to see cybernetics as a serious and important field.

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

Official criticism: 1950–1954

In the early 1950s, the Soviet Union strongly opposed the idea of cybernetics. This was partly because of efforts to criticize American culture and technology. A science journalist named Boris Agapov wrote an article mocking American interest in new computer technology, calling it a "sweet dream" of military and industry leaders. He criticized Norbert Wiener, the founder of cybernetics, calling him one of many misleading scientists.

Soviet leaders saw cybernetics as a harmful idea linked to American interests. Books about cybernetics were removed from libraries, and many articles attacked it as false science. Even though this criticism was not very widespread, 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 began to see cybernetics in a new way. Scientists thought cybernetics could help them study problems in a clear, logical way, instead of being tied to 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, surprising 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 how far behind they were. 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, the study of cybernetics became very popular in the Soviet Union. Many scientists and schools began to use the word "cybernetics" in their work. Leaders said that cybernetics was very important for building a better society.

By the early 1970s, cybernetics was no longer seen as strange or controversial. However, some scientists who had felt protected by the cybernetics movement now felt unwelcome. A few of them left the Soviet Union. By the 1980s, the focus shifted to a new idea called "informatics."

Computers began to be used in many areas. They helped solve crimes, analyze medical images, and teach students. In schools, learning about computers and computer science became a regular part of the curriculum starting in 1985.

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.