Chinese Invention.

[Disease Preventation] Releasing Gas.

90

Description:times. Before the 1st century C.E.: Chinese developed a way of fighting infectious diseases. An infectious disease is one that can spread from person to person. When a person died from an infectious disease, the Chinese burned a chemical that gave off a poisonous smoke. They believed that the smoke would destroy whatever was causing the disease.

[Industry] Porcelain

90

Porcelain making became a major industry in China. Hundreds of thousands of people worked to mass-produce dishes, bowls, and vases. Some workers washed the clay. Others applied the glaze or operated the kiln.

[Disease Prevention] Meathod of steaming clothes.

100

During the Song dynasty, the Chinese discovered another way to prevent the spread of disease. A Chinese monk recommended steaming the clothes of sick people. He believed that steam would prevent others from becoming ill. The idea was sound because hot temperatures kill many germs. Today, people boil medical instruments to kill disease-causing germs.

[Industry] Printing

600

The invention of paper made another key development possible: printing. In about the 7th century, the Chinese invented a technique called woodblock printing. The printer first drew characters (symbols) on paper. He then glued the paper to a wooden block. When the glue was dry, the printer carved out the wood around the characters, leaving the characters raised on the wood.

[Everday Objects] Mechanical Clock.

600

The invention of paper made another key development possible: printing. In about the 7th century, the Chinese invented a technique called woodblock printing. The printer first drew characters (symbols) on paper. He then glued the paper to a wooden block. When the glue was dry, the printer carved out the wood around the characters, leaving the characters raised on the wood.

[Industry] Tea

700

Chinese have been drinking tea since at least 2700 B.C. 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. Tea houses had sprung up throughout the country. The drink’s popularity made tea-plant cultivation a major industry, often involving an entire community.

[Everyday items] Paper money.

850

Paper money was invented by the Chinese in the late 8th or early 9th century. Before that time, coins were the only form of currency. Paper money was also printed with wood blocks.

[Disease Preventation] Removing the infectious Material.

900

The Chinese knew that they had to take care when exposing
people to smallpox. Sometimes the treatment itself caused
people to become ill. To be as safe as possible, the Chinese
took the infectious material from people who had already been
inoculated.

[Military Technology] Flamethrower.

900

By the 10th century, the Chinese had made the first weapon that used gunpowder: the flamethrower. Early flamethrowers contained gunpowder mixed with oil. The Chinese used them to spray enemies with a stream of fire.

[Military Technology] Gunpowder.

950

Chinese alchemists experimented with a mineral called saltpeter. They may have believed that saltpeter could extend life. Perhaps by accident, they discovered that it could be used to make an explosive powder. During the Tang dynasty, alchemists recorded a formula for gunpowder. By the 10th century, the Chinese had made the first weapon that used gunpowder: the flamethrower. Early
flamethrowers contained gunpowder mixed with oil. The Chinese used them to spray enemies with a stream of fire.

[Everyday items] Game Cards.

1000

Game cards were invented in China in about the 9th century. Printers used woodblock printing to make the cards from thick paper.

[Military Technology] Rocket

1250

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. They even developed a two-stage rocket for their armies. The first stage propelled the rocket through the air. The second stage dropped arrows down on the enemy.