Chinese Inventions

Porcelain

50

Porcelain was an industrial invention. The Chinese made porcelain by combing clay with quartz or feldspar. Then, it is baked in a kiln(pottery oven). As a result, the porcelain was waterproof and sort of seethrough. Porcelain was an important Chinese invention because they were the firsts to make it way before any other country.

Paper

250

Paper is an industrial invention. Ancient Chinese Paper was made from hemp and bark of a mulberry tree. The invention of paper was impactful because the Chinese were the only people who knew the secret to make paper. The paper industry made China a lot of money

Compass

250

The compass was a travel invention. The Chinese developed the first compass. The first Chinese compasses were pieces of lodestone (a mineral). Earth is a giant magnet field with north and south poles. Lodestone is magnetic, so it can be attracted to Earth’s magnetic poles.

Tea

750

Tea was also an industrial invention. Tea farmers grew small trees or tall shrubs. When the tea was ready to be harvested, the new growth leaves were picked by hand. Tea was an important industry in China because they started the Tea trade that would soon be adopted around the world.

Mechanical Clock

750

The clock was an everyday Chinese invention. The clock was an accurate keeper of time, as opposed to earlier inventions to keep track of time. Chinese devised a wheel that made one complete turn every 24 hours. Water made a wheel turn that would keep track of the time. Every 1/4 hour, drums would beat. Every hour, a bell would chime. This was an important invention because it led the way for all of our clocks, including the ones you see today.

Paper money

800

Paper money was an everyday invention. It was the first paper money. Before the invention of paper money, the Chinese used coins for all of there currency. By 1107, printers were using multiple wood blocks to print each bill. One bill would have multiple colors. Paper money is the most common form of currency today.

Playing Cards

850

Game Cards were an everyday Chinese invention. They were made by printers that used woodblock imprinted onto thick paper. This Chinese invention is important because it led the way for the Chinese to make paper money.

Gunpowder

850

Gunpowder was a Military invention. The first to make gunpowder were alchemists, people who worked with science and magic Alchemists tried to make mixtures that helped people live forever, and tried to make fake gold. Chinese alchemists experimented with a mineral called saltpeter. They believed that saltpeter could extend life. On accident, they discovered that it could be used to make an explosive powder. During the 10th century, the Chinese made the first gunpowder weapons.

Rocketry

1200

Rocket technology was a military invention. The first rockets were powered by black powder made from saltpeter, charcoal, and sulfur. In the beginning, the Chinese only used this technology for fireworks, but later they implemented the technology into weaponry
In 1300, made their way to Asia and into Europe. The rockets that we use today

Bombs

1250

Bombs were a military invention. The Chinese used large bombs that were as explosive as modern bombs. Around the same time, they developed weapons much like today’s rifles and cannons. Around 1300, travelers had brought gunpowder to Europe. Gunpowder changed the way people fought in the war.