Our Debt to Ancient China

By 2811372
  • 1600 BCE

    Bamboo stick books

    Bamboo stick books date back to the Shang dynasty
  • 1600 BCE

    Oracle bone writing

    The first writing of oracle bones
  • 243 BCE

    Wheelbarrow invented

    Enabled a single person to carry a heavy load, also called "the wooden ox"
  • 100

    Compasses invented

    Made using lodestone, the compass was also believed to date back to the Han dynasty
  • 105

    Paper making

    Paper making was perfected in 105 AD
  • 130

    Seismograph invented

    Seismographs measure the strength of earthquakes
  • 900

    Gunpowder invented

    Gunpowder was first used for fireworks
  • 1026

    Acupuncture points located

    Statuettes were made showing the acupuncture points, and they are still used today.
  • 1100

    Paper money

    The world's first paper money was produced in the 11th century

  • Kites invented

    Kites became a favourite pastime in China in the AD 1600's