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Chinese Inventions
and Astronomy
By Kent Nishizawa
The History of Chinese
Inventions
The Chinese people invented many wonderful things that are still
being used today. In early and medieval China, scientists were
interested mainly in engineering and practical inventions, so they
invented many useful things. Chinese blacksmiths invented the
crossbow about 450 BC, during the Warring States period. Paper
was first invented in Han Dynasty China, 100 BC to 100 AD, and
about the same time the magnetic compass for telling north from
south, was also invented. Scientists in China also invented
gunpowder. In 132 AD, Han Dynasty scholars built the first
seismograph to tell you what direction an earthquake was coming
from. During the Three Kingdoms period, about 250 AD, Zhu Ge
Liang invented an early hot air balloon that people also used in
war. These inventions show that the Chinese people were
advanced in science and technology because they were hard to
make.
Why The Inventions Were
Great
The most famous inventions in the Chinese history were called
“The Four Great Inventions of Ancient China,” which were
papermaking, compasses, gunpowder, and printing. These
inventions are special because they changed the people’s
everyday life. They also had a huge impact on the development
of Chinese civilization. For example, during The Warring States
Period, the Chinese people had an advantage in the battles
because they invented gunpowder which was used for exploding
cannon balls. The wheelbarrow was invented in the first century
to make chores easier to do. Soldiers used it to carry injured
soldiers out of the battlefields. Farmers used it to carry crops to
the market. Builders used it to move heavy supplies. Paper was
invented in 100 A.D. and was made out of the mulberry tree.
This invention made possible rapid changes in communications.
The Great Inventors, Zhu
Ge Liang
Zhu Ge Liang was one of the most well-known inventors in
Ancient China. He was also a remarkable politician, strategist,
diplomat, and astrologer in the Three Kingdoms period. He
assisted the emperor of The Shu Kingdom. He mastered many
things like astrology, military science, and many other things. He
invented a lot of popular things. Steamed buns Liang invented
has become the Chinese staple food. Since Liang mastered
military science, he invented few military items such as the
repeating crossbow, the assault vehicle, and the battle array of the
eight diagrams. Also, the kong ming chess was invented to
entertain soldiers.
The Most Popular
Inventions #1
Compass
Gunpowder
The earliest-known compass
dates back to the Han
Dynasty. The Chinese people
knew this invention as a
“south-pointing fish” because
this lodestone compass was
pointing
south.
These
compasses were primarily
used for overland and ocean
voyages.
Gunpowder was invented in
China, probably around the
1100. The Chinese doctors may
have accidentally discovered
how to make gunpowder while
searching for ways to cure
illnesses.
Gunpowder is
composed of about 75 percent
saltpeter, 15 percent powdered
charcoal, and 10 percent
sulphur.
Gunpowder was
originally used for fireworks.
The Most Popular
Inventions #2
Kite
Paper
The kite was invented roughly
2,500 to 3,000 years ago.
Besides China, Malaysia and
Indonesia have claimed to be
the original inventor of kite.
Soldiers of the Han dynasty
sailed kites to frighten their
enemies. Also, kites were a
popular way to celebrate
festivals.
Paper seems to have been
invented around 100 B.C. in
China. They were used for
many different ways such as
paper money and playing
cards.
The paper-making
industry began under the Han
Dynasty. The paper-making
was a big success and began to
be used all over China.
The Most Popular
Inventions #3
Silk
Silk was a soft and light
material much desired by the
wealthy
throughout
the
world. It became such a
valuable export that the trade
route running from Europe to
China became known as the
Silk Road. The Chinese people
learned how to make silk from
the cocoons of silkworms.
They managed to keep the
process for making silk a
secret for hundreds of years
until the Europeans smuggled
the information out of China.
Conclusion
The Ancient Chinese people were very intelligent.
They had special talents to invent different useful
things. All those inventions have impacted human
civilization all over the world from the past to the
present. The most amazing inventions are found in
China. I think that The Ancient Chinese had to make
their own things since the country’s population is so
large. Also there were people like Zhu Ge Liang who
were fortunate to have lots of education in science and
technology. I was really surprised when I learned how
many things I use were invented by the Ancient
Chinese people.