Our Debt to Ancient China

By Anahas
  • 1600 BCE

    Writing on Oracle Bone

    The first writing on oracle bone dates back to 1600 BC
  • 1600 BCE

    Bamboo Stick Books

    The first books were made on bamboo sticks and date back to the Shang Dynasty (1600 BC - 1050 BC)
  • 265 BCE

    The first Wheelbarrow

    The wheelbarrow enabled a single person to carry a heavy Ipoad and was called 'the wooden ox' in Chinese
  • 100

    Magnetic Compass

    The first magnetic compass was created in ancient China, probably in about AD 100, using a lode-stone. Some historians, however believe Chinese compasses may date back to the Han dynasty.
  • 105

    Paper-Making

    Paper-making was perfected by the Chinese in AD 105
  • 130

    The first Seismograph

    The first Seismograph (for measuring the strength of earthquakes) was invented in AD 130
  • 900

    Fireworks

    Gunpowder was first used for fireworks and was invented in AD 900
  • 1026

    Acupuncture

    Acupuncture statuettes showing all the needle points in the human body were first produced in AD 1026. The sane statuettes are still used today.
  • 1100

    The first Paper Money

    The worlds first paper money was produced byu the chinese in 11th century AD.

  • Kites

    Kites became a favourite pastime in the AD 1600s (During the Ch'ing Dynasty