Joseph Needham was one of the most well-known biochemists and historians in modern history. In 1900, he was born in the United Kingdom. Starting from his 20s, he kept researching in Embryology and Morphogenesis in the Cambridge University. In the 1930s, a group of Chinese student researchers were sent to work in his laboratory. This contributed Joseph to have an interest in Chinese science and technology gradually.

Joseph published the first volume of " Science and Civilisation in China" in 1954. 7 volumes with different chapters were published by the Cambridge University Press respectively. These remarkable volumes contain a large amount of historical data and evidence to prove how important Chinese civilisation was in the history of science and technology. The world should aware of this fact. Although Joseph died in 1990, there are still several chapters being worked on until now. This shows that Joseph was an important figure allowing the world to discover the level of Chinese science and civilisation in the past.