Clandestine Acquisition of Microelectronics and Information Technology by the Scientific-Technical Intelligence of Polish People's Republic in 1970–1990

摘要

Along with the upcoming détente in the eve of the 70s there were approximately 70 thousand computers working in the USA. At the same time Poland had 200 hundred such devices. There were several factors responsible for that backwardness, especially embargo on sale of dual-use components to communistic countries. In the purpose of bypassing restrictions the intelligence has been involved. Hundreds of western companies had been targeted. Polish economy with its commercial requirements was not the only beneficiary. Selected tasks were launched in favor of military complex and Ministry of Interior with its request for surveillance technology. Flashy spy-operations together with successful corruption of some capitalistic companies enabled Polish scientists constant updating of overall view over the worldwide trends in IT. Author discusses clandestine operations trying to answer questions how did the "missing dimension" of Polish economy work (intelligence gathering, analysis, dissemination, application etc.) and in what extent did the intelligence influence over the R&D and production of microelectronic equipment?