Download Inventions of Ancient China

Inventions of Ancient
China
Chinese fortune tellers used lodestones (a
mineral composed of an iron oxide which
aligns itself in a north-south direction) to
construct their fortune telling boards.
 Eventually someone noticed that the
lodestones were better at pointing out real
directions.

This invention helps you
find your way
Chinese Compass

They designed the
compass on a square
slab which had
markings for the
cardinal points and
the constellations.
The pointing needle
was a lodestone
spoon-shaped device,
with a handle that
would always point
south.
During the Han dynasty extensive
research was done to try to find medicine
that would allow people to live forever.
 During this research alchemist were
mixing different combinations of sulfur,
saltpeter, and charcoal. When they lit this
substance, it exploded.

This invention was called
flaming medicine
Gunpowder
When it exploded it
burnt their faces and
hands and even burnt
down their house.
 They called this
substance Huo Yao
meaning flaming
medicine. The
discovery of
gunpowder was
accidental.


The Chinese used this invention for
creating landscape and figure paintings,
windows, lanterns, umbrellas, and fans.
This invention was made using tree
bark, hemp or rags
Paper

One of China's greatest
contributions to the world
was the invention of paper.
During the Han Dynasty
(around 200 B.C.), the
Chinese used plant
materials and silk rags to
make paper. They made
durable, long-lasting paper
by 105 A.D. This paper
became the common form
of writing materials for
records and books.

General Liang was a general who used this
invention to transport supplies to injured
soldiers.
What invention makes things easy
to carry?
The wheelbarrow

Chuko Liang (181-234 A.D.) of China is
considered to be the inventor of the
wheelbarrow. The Chinese wheelbarrows had
two wheels and required two men to propel and
steer.
Your turn!
 Which
of these
inventions do
you think is the
best or greatest
invention?
You must state your
opinion.
 Give at least three
reasons to support
your opinion.
 Give a closing
restating your opinion
for why this is the
greatest invention.
