Chinese Inventions

By Andrew1001
  • 200

    Paper

    Paper
    Industry Paper was invented in second century C.E. The earliest paper was made from hemp and then the bark of the mulberry tree. Later, the Chinese used rags. Paper was one of the most important inventions of all time.
  • 200

    Compass

    Compass
    Exploration and Travel The first Chinese timelines were pieces of a magnetic mineral called lodestone. Earth itself acts like a giant magnet with north and south poles. The lodestone was influenced by Earth's magnetic poles.
  • Period: 200 to Dec 31, 1400

    Chinese Inventions

  • 450

    Paddleboat

    Paddleboat
    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 paddlewheel, which in turn moved through the water, moving the boat forward.
  • Jan 1, 618

    Segmental Arched Bridge

    Segmental Arched Bridge
    Exploration and Travel A Chinese engineer created a bridge that used arches that were a smaller part of a circle. These bridges took less material than semicircle arch bridges, and were stronger.
  • Jan 1, 650

    Printing

    Printing
    Industry The Chinese invented a technique called woodblock printing. The printer first drew characters 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. To print from the block, the printer covered the characters with black ink.
  • Jan 1, 750

    Tea

    Tea
    Industry Tea was created and became a popular everyday drink. It was also used as medicine. Tea haouses had sprung up around the country.
  • Feb 18, 750

    Mechanical Clock

    Mechanical Clock
    Everyday Objects The Chinese devised a wheel that made one complete turn every 24 hours. Dripping water made the wheel turn. Every quarter hour, drums would beat, and every hour, bells would chime.
  • Feb 18, 800

    Paper Money

    Paper Money
    Everyday Objects Before the invention of paper money, coins were the only form of currency. Paper money was printed with wood blocks. Paper money is now the most common form of currency in the world.
  • Jan 1, 850

    Game Cards

    Game Cards
    Everyday Objects Printers used woodblock printing to make the cards from thick paper. Famous artists drew the design on the backs of the cards.