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2700 BCE
they invented tea
For several thousand years, tea—made by letting tea leaves steep in boiling water—was drunk mostly as medicine. However, by the 8th century C.E., tea had become a hugely popular everyday beverage throughout China. -
206 BCE
they invented the compass
In the past, you might have been lost. But thanks to the magnetic compass, you can find your way. Your compass is a magnetized needle that aligns itself with Earth’s magnetic poles so that one end points north and the other south. -
50
They invented Porcelain
By the 10th century, the Chinese were making porcelain of great beauty. Crafts-people learned how to paint pictures on porcelain. -
800
They invented mechanical clock
The new clock was more accurate than earlier timekeeping devices, such as sundials and hourglasses. -
800
They invent paper money
Before that time, coins were the only form of currency, but then they invented paper money. -
900
They invented bombs
In the 13th century, the Chinese used large bombs that were as explosive as modern bombs. -
1300
They invented gun powder
The invention of gunpowder—one of the most significant inventions in history—made these weapons possible. -
1300
They invented game cards
A number of Chinese inventions enriched people’s everyday lives. Among them are game cards. -
1300
they invented Rocket Technology
Rocket technology was developed in China during the Song dynasty. Rockets were powered by a black powder made of saltpeter, charcoal, and sulfur. -
1400
They invented movable type
Movable type consists of separate blocks for each character. Printers made their type by carving characters out of clay and baking them. To print, they selected the characters they needed and placed them in an iron frame in the order they would appear on the page. When the printing job was done, the type could be removed from the frame and rearranged to use again.
