Chinese Discoveries & Inventions

By beanree
  • Period: 3000 BCE to Dec 31, 1400

    3000 BCE to 1400 CE

  • 250 BCE

    COMPASS

    COMPASS
    The first Chinese compasses were pieces of a magnetic mineral called lodestone. Because lodestone is magnetic, it is influenced by Earth’s magnetic poles. By the time of the Song dynasty, the Chinese were using magnetic compasses for navigation at sea. EXPLORATION AND TRAVEL.
  • 150

    BOATS

    BOATS
    China improved boat construction by a ton. They started building
    ships with separate, watertight compartments. Builders divided the ships into sections and sealed each section with caulk, a sealant that keeps out water. EXPLORATION AND TRAVEL
  • 450

    PADDLES

    PADDLES
    The Chinese arranged a series of paddles in a wheel. People walked on a treadmill to turn the paddle wheel, which while turning moved through the water, moving the boat forward. EXPLORATION AND TRAVEL.
  • Feb 14, 750

    MECHANICAL CLOCK

    MECHANICAL CLOCK
    The mechanical clock that the they built was way better than the previous time tracking tools like hourglasses and sundials. Dripping water would make a wheel spin and acoording to when it turns, it will make a certain sound. The sound would tell the what time it was.
  • Feb 13, 850

    GUNPOWDER

    GUNPOWDER
    Chinese alchemists accidentally discovered when they were trying to find a cure for death. MILITARY TECHNOLOGY
  • Feb 14, 850

    GAMECARDS

    GAMECARDS
    Game cards were invented in China in about the 9th century. Printers used woodblock printing to make the cards from thick paper. Artists drew designs on the back of the cards. EVERYDAY OBJECTS
  • Feb 14, 850

    PAPER MONEY

    PAPER MONEY
    Paper money was revolutionary. Before that, they only used coins as currency. Paper money was printed with wood blocks. A single bill would have many colors. EVERY DAY OBJECTS.
  • Feb 13, 950

    FLAMETHROWER

    FLAMETHROWER
    Chinese discovered that they could use this fire with gunpowder. They used the flamethrower to spray their enemies on fire. MILITARY TECHNOLOGY
  • Feb 14, 1300

    ROCKET

    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. At first, rockets were used only in fireworks. Later, the Chinese used them as weapons. MILITARY TECHNOLOGY