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150
Industry: Steel
The form of steel was made by cast iron.This invention would inventally make it posible to make large amounts of steel cheaply. The mass production of steel was key to the Industrial Revolution in the west. Also today steel is one of Chinaś most important industrys. -
150
Exploration and Travel: Navel Construction
The Chinese were the first to build ships with seperate, and watertight compartments. Ship bulders would divide the ships into sections and would seal each section with caulk, a sealant that keeps out water. When there would be a leak in the ship that section would be isolated off, so the other sections would not fill with water keeping the ship afloat. Some modern ship builders still use this technique. -
150
Industry: Paper
Paper making was a very important industry for China. For up to 500 years China were the only people in the world who knew how to make paper. The first paper was likley originally made from hemp and then the bark of a mulbery tree and later on rags. This invention is obviously important because it is how we record and transopt information. -
Period: 150 to Dec 31, 1400
CE
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250
Exploration and Travel: Compass
The first Chinese compasses were made of a magnetic mineral called lodestone. Eventually the Chinese would replace the mieral with a steel needle. They learned that all they had to do was rubthe needle against the limestone to act the smae way. The needle would give you more accurate readings. Soon the Chinese were using the compasses for sea navigation. The compass allowed long sea voyages. -
450
Exploration and Travel: Paddlewheel boat
The Chinese adapted the idea of pushing a paddle in order to move a boat or canoe foward. They adapted this idea by arranging a series of paddles in a wheel. The paddleboat allowed the Chinese to travle much faster across rivers and lakes. Also these boats were much more easier to manuever then other types of watercraft. Paddlewheel boats are still used today for recreational use. -
Feb 12, 750
Industry: Tea
Even though it has been recored that the Chinese had been drinking tea since 2700 BCE, the drink started to become popular in 750 CE. At this time tea houses started to spring up all aorund the country and tea had become a popular everyday drink. Due to the drinks huge popularity it would go on to become a huge industry around the world. -
Feb 12, 850
Military: Gunpower
Alchemists were the first Chinese to make gunpowder. They made gunpowder when they were trying to find a mixture to find imortality and they were also trying to find a way to make gold from cheaper material. -
Feb 16, 950
Military: Flamethrower
The first weapon the Chinese invented that uses gunpowder was the flamethrower. Early flamethrowers would contain gunpowder mixed with oil. Theese flamethowers would be used to spray enemies with a stream of fire. -
Feb 17, 1300
Military: Rockets
The first rockets were made from black powder made from saltpeter, charcoal, and sulfer. At first rockets were only used for fireworks. Later the Chinese used them as weapons Today rockets are used to explore space.
