Inventions in China vs. Europe

By libbiebone
  • 2690 BCE

    The first silk cloth was produced in China

  • 1200 BCE

    Preserved cloth was found in European tombs

  • Chinese engineers built suspension bridges
    25 BCE

    Chinese engineers built suspension bridges

    The Anlan Bridge, one of the many suspension bridges built in China, though it is not the earliest one. A suspension bridge is a type of bridge where the deck is held up below suspension cables.
  • 100

    The first paper was made by Tsai Lun

  • The Romans Trajan’s Bridge was built
    105

    The Romans Trajan’s Bridge was built

    The Trajan Bridge, now, one of the oldest bridges in Europe.
  • 200

    The wheelbarrow was designed in China

    Made it easier for one person to carry a heavy load
  • 500

    The magnetic compass was invented in China

  • 577

    The match was developed in China

  • Jan 1, 840

    The Carmera Obscura was developed in China

    While it did not work, it was the basis of many of the photographic feats later on in history
  • The first known printed book was produced in China; The Diamond Sutra
    Dec 1, 868

    The first known printed book was produced in China; The Diamond Sutra

    The Diamond Sūtra (Sanskrit: Vajracchedikā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra) is a Buddhist sūtra from the Prajñāpāramitā, or "Perfection of Wisdom" genre
  • Jan 1, 950

    Gunpowder used for firearms as well as fireworks in China

  • Jan 1, 1024

    Paper money developed in China

  • Jan 1, 1056

    Earliest recorded paper mill in Europe

  • Wheelbarrows introduced to Medieval Europe
    Jan 1, 1170

    Wheelbarrows introduced to Medieval Europe

    Unlike their Chinese counterparts, European wheelbarrow's had a wheel in the front
  • Jan 1, 1248

    The Moorish Cannon was used in the siege of Seville

  • Jan 1, 1262

    Gunpowder was first used in Europe for military purposes

  • Jan 1, 1280

    A type of cannon was developed in China

  • The compass was introduced in Europe
    Jan 1, 1300

    The compass was introduced in Europe

    The pivot-needle dry-box compass was invented in Europe
  • Jan 1, 1403

    Chinese medical text describes a vaccination to prevent smallpox

  • Jan 1, 1455

    The Gutenberg Bible was the first major book printed in Europe

  • Banknotes (paper money) was produced in Europe, distributed through Sweden

    Banknotes (paper money) was produced in Europe, distributed through Sweden

    Banknotes were the first form of paper money in Europe and were made after the Chinese paper bills when they discovered them during trade

  • Edward Jenner discovers modern day vaccination technique

  • The match was invented in Europe

    The first self-igniting match was invented in Europe by Jean Chancel, the assistant of Louis Jacques Thénard of Paris

  • The first partially successful photograph was developed by Nicephore Niepce