Wu Wen-Tsun's Work on the Layout of Integrated Circuits and its Place in the Formation of His "Mechanization of Mathematics"
Abstract
During the Cultural Revolution, Prof. Wu studied a method of Fisher and Wing of "extraction of planar graphs from the incidence matrix", applicable to the design of integrated circuits, and created an alternative method based on his theory of imbedding of polytopes in Euclidean spaces.
He published his findings in 1973 and, in an expanded and revised form, in the 1978 Chinese language edition of his older book A Theory of Imbedding, Immersion and Isotopy of Polytopes in Euclidean Space. Wu's work on the design of integrated circuits has received relatively little attention, but I will argue that it shows some crucial elements of Wu's approach to "mechanization of mathematics" as it developed after 1977.
In particular, it marked a transition to a more "constructive", algorithmic style of presentation, using a detailed exposition of the steps of calculations, and also experimented with forms inspired by traditional Chinese mathematics (e.g. structuring of the argument into procedures shu instead of theorems). It was furthermore Wu's first contact with computer mathematics and as such was often invoked by him in later recollections of the formation of his "mechanization of mathematics".
A closer look at the 1973 publication of his results and its 1978 revision reveals the gradual formation of Wu's vision of the kind of mathematics he wanted to produce, and of its integration with current social needs and technological development.