WIP with Dr. Tinn Honghong

Tembusu College

Work In Progress Seminar

6PM, Thursday

Venue: Common Lounge, Lobby

4th April 2013

Topic: Digital Electronic Computing, Econometric Models,and Economics-Planning Projects in Taiwan, 1964-1968

Speaker: Dr. Tinn Honghong

Register at: tembusu.nus.edu.sg

Abstract:

My presentation explores the relationship between computers and economics through the exploration of taiwan’s origins in using mainframe computers to boost econometric-knowledge production and economic-project planning. At the heart of the enterprise was a Cornell econometrician, Ta-Chung Liu, who visited Taiwan in 1964 to start an economic planning program for Taiwanese government agency, the Council for International Economic Cooperation and Development.

Liu worked on producing inter-industry input-output analyses of taiwanese industries by using one of the first two available digital electronic computers in Taiwan. this computer was an IBM 1620, and it was installed at a Taiwanese university the same year through a United Nations technical-aid program.

Liu used the IBM 1620 to produce econometric models, by which the CIECD formed policies concerning the government’s investment in different industries. In sum, I plan representations of economic activities.