Can Russia Develop Its Own Chips?

On April 17, 1958, the Brussels World Expo officially opened with 54 countries and international organizations participating. The Soviet Pavilion and the U.S. Pavilion, adjacent to each other and of similar size, became the two largest and most attention-grabbing pavilions in the expo. As early as October of the previous year, the Soviet Union had successfully launched the first artificial satellite. The Soviet Pavilion at the Brussels World Expo prominently showcased a replica of this remarkable achievement, positioning the model of the artificial satellite conspicuously in the exhibition hall. Simultaneously, the pavilion featured numerous high-tech achievements, including a model of the world’s first nuclear power plant and an icebreaker powered by nuclear energy. In comparison, despite the United States successfully launching its first artificial satellite, “Explorer 1,“ two months prior, its pavilion did not exhibit corresponding satellite technology or any high-tech products. Instead, the focus was on lifestyle, with daily fashion shows and a 360° film titled “Journey through America“ playing on color television, presenting examples of the superiority of the American way of life. The Soviet Union represented technology, while the United States represented lifestyle. This seemed to be the prevailing sentiment among the majority of European residents after visiting the pavilions.