-
-
Tea made by letting tea leaves steep in boiling water was drunk mostly as medicine. INDUSTRY.
-
The first Chinese compasses were pieces of a magnetic mineral called lodestone. EXPLORATION/TRAVEL.
-
The Chinese first made steel, a very useful metal. Steel is made from iron, but it is less brittle than iron and easier to bend into different shapes. INDUSTRY.
-
The Chinese adapted this idea by arranging a series of paddles in a wheel. People walked on a treadmill to turn the paddle wheel, which in turn moved through the water, moving the boat forward. EXPLORATION/TRAVEL.
-
Many cultures developed engineering technologies. However, the segmental arch bridge is one of China’s most prized achievements. Bridges of that design stretch over expressways around the world. EXPLORATION/TRAVEL.
-
The invention of paper made another key development possible: printing. The Chinese invented a technique called woodblock printing. INDUSTRY.
-
Accidentally discovered by alchemist working with saltpeter looking for the secret to eternal life. MILITARY TECHNOLOGY.
-
Mixed with gunpowder and oil to make a powerful flame to spray enemies with a stream of fire. MILITARY TECHNOLOGY.
-
Artillery shells, for example, exploded after being hurled at enemies by a war machine called a catapult. The sound of the exploding shells confused the enemy and terrified their horses. MILITARY TECHNOLOGY.
