1M views · Jan 12, 2023 · 21:59 · 2 HN recommenders · 4 mentions · discussed 2023–2024
Asianometry examines how East Germany tried and failed to build a native semiconductor industry despite heavy investment, including the espionage involved in acquiring Western microelectronics technology.
Why Hacker News points people here: HN commenters share it in chip fab and industrial espionage threads as a well-researched account of East Germany's failed microelectronics effort.
“this is a well researched video by Asianometry, which actually contains a couple of details (unlike the Politico article) about the spycraft involved”HN comment, 2024
“Just want to share these relevant videos from Asianometry”
Relevant Asianometry video on East German semiconductors.
Just want to share these relevant videos from Asianometry: How Semiconductors Ruined East Germany this video Why Europe Lost Semiconductors link Europe’s Lost Decades in Semiconductors link
“this is a well researched video by Asianometry, which actually contains a couple of details (unlike the Politico article) about the spycraft involved”
Well-researched account of East German microelectronics spycraft, based on a first-person book.
Regarding the microelectronics industry behind the Iron Curtain, this is a well researched video by Asianometry, which actually contains a couple of details (unlike the Politico article) about the spycraft involved: this video (based on the first-person account book 'Deckname Saale' by Gerhardt Ronneberger)
“East Germany famously tried really hard to develop a native capability, but failed”
Example of East Germany failing despite heavy investment.
China is willing to point a firehose of resouroces at development targets, but that doesn't guarantee success. Semiconductors are really stinking hard! East Germany famously tried really hard to develop a native capability, but failed and wound up smuggling parts from the west and running years behind western firms: this video China is more willing to both reward and hold senior stakeholders responsible, as long as they aren't too closely allied with Xi
Linked as an example of copying-over-innovation in chip espionage history.
I weep for the Chinese researchers never getting funding and a moment in the sun, cause a incompetent secret service/insecure government prefers copying. this video
