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The first Chinese compasses were pieces of a magnetic mineral called lodestone. Earth itself is like a huge magnet with
north and south poles, like the negative and positive ends of a regular magnet. Exploration and Travel. -
In the 5th century, 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 then moved through the water, moving the boat forward.The people-powered paddle wheel boats allowed the Chinese to travel much faster on rivers and lakes. Exploration and Travel.
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The new clock was more accurate than earlier timekeeping methods like sundials and hourglasses. The Chinese made a wheel that made one complete turn every 24 hours. Everyday Objects
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Before paper money first stated to take off, coins were the only form of currency. Like game cards, paper money was printed with wood blocks. A single bill would have many colors. Everyday Objects
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Chinese alchemists accidentally discovered this when they were using saltpeter to try and find the secret of immortality.
MILITARY TECHNOLOGY. -
Card makers used woodblock printing to make the cards from thick paper. Famous artists drew the designs that appeared on the backs of the cards. Europeans were introduced to game cards around the late 1,300s. EVERYDAY OBJECTS.
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Some time around 850, the Chinese had made the first weapon that used gunpowder: the flamethrower. The first flamethrowers contained gunpowder mixed with oil. The Chinese used them to spray enemies with a stream of fire. MILITARY TECHNOLOGY.
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Rocket technology was developed in Ancient China during the Song time. Rockets were powered by a black powder made of saltpeter, charcoal, and sulfur, gunpowder. At first, rockets were used only in fireworks. Later, the Chinese used them as weapons. MILITARY TECHNOLOGY.
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During the Song dynasty the Chinese used canals extensively to connect the many rivers. They used canal locks to get the boats up from them.
