15 Wonderful Inventions and Discoveries by the Ancient Chinese
Until 1400 AD, China was a scientifically and technologically advanced nation and a superpower. Believe it or not, many of the tools we use today were discovered or invented by Chinese. Here is a list of 15 such things.
Paper
Paper is one of the most wonderful inventions of China. Before the invention of paper people used to write on bamboo slips and silks. Tsai-lung (48-118 AD) an official of Imperial Court during the Eastern Han Dynasty was the creator of first paper in the world by drying pulp from bark, mulberry fibers, old rags and hemp. However according to a recent archeological discovery near Dunhuang, paper had been used for wrapping and padding in China since the 2nd century BC. They used paper as a writing medium by the 3rd century and by the 6th century they began using toilet-paper. Chinese were the first people to preserve the flavor of tea in square bags which were made from the folded and sewn paper during 618-907 AD, Tang Dynasty. The technique of paper making was slowly spread. It reached the Central Asia by 750 AD and Europe in the 14th century.
Printing
Chinese used printing pattern on the cloths before 220 AD. Woodblock printing on a paper is a process in which the individual sheets of paper were pressed into wooden blocks with the text and illustrations carved into them. This technique was first used by Koreans in 751 AD.
The first movable type system (made of clay) was invented by Bi Sheng in China around 1040 AD. Later, movable wooden type was developed by Wang Zhen by the late 13th century.
Gunpowder
Chinese were the first to recognize sulfur and saltpeter as essential ingredients for gun powder. Though many people wrote about the inflammable mixtures during 300-650 AD, some historians claim that the invention of gunpowder was dated at 850 AD. However the true gunpowder formula was first published in the history by Tseng Kung-Liang around 1040 AD.
The Compass
The Compass was used by the Chinese during 1040-44 AD. They used this device as a direction finder to recognize the directions of north and south poles. The first compass was an iron fish pointing to the south, floating in a bowl of water. However, the compass that many used was in the form of a magnetic needle floating in a bowl of water.
Seismometer
The first Seismometer was invented by Zhang Heng in 132. He was an astronomer and mathematician of the Han Dynasty (202 BC – 220 AD). The instrument is described as a large metal urn-shaped which used a suspended or inverted pendulum to study earthquakes. Zhang Heng also invented the Odometer and he was the first person to construct a rotating celestial globe.
Cast Iron and Steel
According to the available archaeological sources, Cast iron (made from the melting iron) was developed by Chinese by the early 5th century BC during the Zhou Dynasty (1122-256 BC). Chinese were able to hold iron at high temperature for a week in 3rd century BC. Chinese developed the process of refining iron into steel in 2nd century BC. Interestingly they made a process named as “Hundred refining method” in which carbon is removed from the iron by injecting oxygen into the blast surface. They repeated this process many times, hence the name. The finished product from this process had excellent strength and can hold an edge on a sword. Chinese workers made different types of metals of modern times at that time.
Winnowing Fan
Many people thought that rotary air conditioning fan was invented by Din Huan in 180 AD. But archaeological sources claim that rotary winnowing fan was made during the Han Dynasty (202 BC – 220 AD) for separating chaff from the grain.
India Ink
India ink, a mixture of soot from pine smoke and lamp oil, mixed with the gelatin of donkey skin and musk, was invented by Tein-Lcheu, a Chinese philosopher in 2697 B.C., yet it became popular by around year 1200 B.C. It was designed for blacking the surfaces of raised stone-carved hieroglyphics.
Matches
Chinese were the first people to invent the matches in the year 577 AD during the kingdom of Northern Ch’i. Early matches were made of sticks of pinewood with sulfur and the description was written by Ta’o Ku in the book “Records of the Unworldly and the Strange” in around 950 AD. However there is no evidence of using matches in Europe before 1350 AD.
Paper Currency
Paper currency was first developed in China during the Tang Dynasty (618-907) according to the wishes of merchants who would like to avoid the bulk usage of copper coins in large commercial transactions. The Central Government adopted this system during the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD).
Suspension Bridge
The suspension bridge was invented by Chinese in as early as 1st century AD. Rope made from bamboo was first constructed in 300 AD on Min River. However there is documental evidence that an iron chain suspension bridge was built in Yunnan around 600 AD.
Umbrella
Umbrella was invented in ancient China in around 2nd century BC. Available sources suggested that collapsible umbrellas were designed with mechanical sliding levers during Han Dynasty (202 BC – 220 AD). Wang Mang, an official of Han Dynasty had designed a collapsible umbrella for a ceremonial four-wheeled carriage.
Silk
Silk was first developed in ancient China by 3000 BC. According to a legend, Leizu, Chinese Empress, wife of the Yellow Emperor of Chia, discovered silkworms spinning cocoons. She collected some cocoons and dropped a cocoon into the steaming water and amazed when a shining and soft thread started to separate itself from cocoon. Thus she invented silk loom in 28th century BC. Later Chinese used silk threads, silk belts and pieces of woven silk approximately in 2570 BC.
Chop Sticks and Forks
King Zhou of Shang was the first person to make the chopsticks out of ivory in the 11th century BC. Chopsticks made out of bronze that belonged to 1200 BC were found in the archaeological sources. According to the available sources bone forks had been used in China during 2400-1900 BC. This suggests that fork had been used in China long before chop sticks.
Porcelain
Though archaeological sources claim that porcelain was used in 3rd century AD, the true porcelain was made by Tao-Yue during 608 – 676 AD. He mixed white clay (found along the Yangzte River) to other types of clay which in result gave that white porcelain.
There are many others that were first started and used by Chinese, like toothbrush, ice cream, salt, spaghetti, tea etc. The list seems endless.
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User Comments
IcyCucky
On August 10, 2008 at 10:13 am
Fascinating find, and great infor, Valli..
valli
On August 10, 2008 at 12:20 pm
Thank you for your support, Icy.
ruby Hawk
On August 10, 2008 at 9:05 pm
They are an intelligent people and I’m afraid the way they are going they will soon overtake us again.
Shonufgood
On August 11, 2008 at 3:38 pm
What I think would be their greatest contribution was the paired stirrup. “The first dependable representation of a rider with paired stirrups was found in China in a Jin Dynasty tomb of about A.D. 322.[10][11][12] The stirrup appeared to be in widespread use across China by 477 AD.” Some argue the device was the primary cause of feudalism and even enabled Charles Martel to stop the advance of the Moores at the Pyranees.
Zachster
On August 11, 2008 at 9:11 pm
Unfortunately, the Koreans are now starting to claim many of the Chinese inventions and traditions as originated from Korea. I hope these lists will help to educate the rest of the world as well as remind them that no-matter what is falsified, the truth will remain with the rest of us.
valli
On August 12, 2008 at 2:07 am
Ruby, I agree with you.
Shonufgood, thanks for the info.
Zachster, thanks for the comment.
CHAN LEE PENG
On August 12, 2008 at 5:28 am
Thanks, Valli, great post!Take care!
Alexa Gates
On August 12, 2008 at 3:47 pm
I never would have guessed that the chineese created all of that stuff
wow!
Anne Lyken-Garner
On August 13, 2008 at 2:24 am
A very informative and timely article. Well done Valli
Lauren Axelrod
On August 13, 2008 at 9:14 am
Nicely researched. Informative information I would have never known, except for the gun powder.
valli
On August 13, 2008 at 1:30 pm
Thanks Chan, Alexa, Anne and Lauren for the comments.
thestickman
On August 13, 2008 at 6:20 pm
-Wow!! Fantastic article! Thanks! And timely too, what with the Beijing Olympics going on.
enderjah
On August 14, 2008 at 11:03 am
I always like reading an article about what the ancient Chinese made. They also made flamethrowers.
Kalista Leow
On August 14, 2008 at 11:46 am
Absolutely brilliant article. Very informative.
Judy Sheldon
On August 14, 2008 at 7:15 pm
I remember researching for my ketchup article and finding out that ketchup was first used in China. Valli, your article is fascinating.
Thanks for sharing.
Chris A Stonecipher
On August 15, 2008 at 11:58 am
I am fascinating by the chinese artwork you found. Thank you for sharing.
Darlene McFarlane
On August 15, 2008 at 8:19 pm
WOW!We owe a lot to the Ancient Chinese. I never would have guessed they invented the fork.
Great article, Valli.
Karen N
On August 16, 2008 at 8:46 am
Really interesting, I never would have thought that they invented the fork.
eddiego65
On August 16, 2008 at 10:03 am
Truly wonderful inventions. Great article and very educational too!
valli
On August 18, 2008 at 5:01 am
Thank you thestickman, enderjah, Kalista Leow, Judy, Chris A Stonecipher, Darlene, Karen and eddiego65 for the encouraging comments…Chinese invented/discovered many things and the list seems endless.
atomed
On August 22, 2008 at 2:33 am
great
chandan lohia
On August 23, 2008 at 9:14 am
Boy you seriously need to revisit some of the things shown here
a) Cst iron and steel: Indus valley civilisation was the pioneer and began the iron age
b) Suspension bridge: Lakshman Jhoola at rishikesh , built over many times has its roots in BC not AD as chineese
c) Compass: carried from India to China by buddhist monks since magnetite ore ( load stone ) needles were common in India , in fact somnath temple and Konark are examples of magnetic idols that were suspended midair , destroyed partially by the raiders from western asia and partly by british who were exploring India.
Selly
On August 28, 2008 at 9:29 pm
It’s marvelous! Chinese are so great! especially after the Olympics, more and more people know China and its great people. I even heard some people talking about China on a bisexual site http://BiLoves.com.
Jeannie Kong
On August 29, 2008 at 2:14 am
Help spread the word about free ecommerce – ahhge.com.
No store fee, No insertion fee auction site.
Thanks.
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Liane Schmidt
On September 4, 2008 at 1:12 pm
This is an impressive article. Wonderful work!
Best wishes & blessings.
Sincerely,
-Liane Schmidt.
Matt
On September 9, 2008 at 4:17 am
So what,
In Australia, we invented the Hills Hoist, you know; rotary clothes line. Now that’s far more important dont you think?
BIG_DIZZ
On September 9, 2008 at 6:23 pm
this is interesting however this is not true. for instince paper,printing, and paper currency were all invented by the summarians(sumer). they also most likely invented everything else because they find more and more of what they made and they have made just about everything we use today but more advanced and we have not yet been able to match there superior knowlage of everything.
Theresa
On September 10, 2008 at 12:42 am
you forgot to mention PASTA!!! we invented noodles too
CaRoLiNa
On October 27, 2008 at 10:00 am
Hello everyone im in Chinese class
makensie
On November 4, 2008 at 5:29 pm
helped with my home work;)
CaMeRoN
On November 29, 2008 at 6:52 pm
it helped me my homework which was do the next day
cute_thang
On December 1, 2008 at 7:31 pm
thiz reeely helped me on my report!!!
thankz a lot!!
♥♥♥♥
...Wallawallabang!!!!!!!!!!!!
On December 14, 2008 at 5:22 pm
this is much better than stevens list, although you forgot: the flame thrower, row crops, guns, kites and a few more i forgot.
~F.J.J.N~
Laura Tamayo
On January 14, 2009 at 9:20 pm
My faves: paper, ink, and umbrellas. Great choice of pictures, btw.
De'Quandra
On January 28, 2009 at 2:03 pm
who ever did this bravo i can’t beleive this thank you
Some Random Guy
On January 28, 2009 at 5:57 pm
Fascinating
Child doing report.
On January 28, 2009 at 6:02 pm
Thanks! This really helped me with my report!
O_o
They really made paper?
me
On March 26, 2009 at 6:47 pm
great info
Project on ancient Chinese inventions
On April 2, 2009 at 11:32 pm
Great article and awesome information but can you also add the specific creator of some of them please? Thanks
REW
On April 4, 2009 at 12:18 am
what about fireworks???
hello everybody
On April 12, 2009 at 9:11 pm
Great! Fantastic! I’m using this for my Social Studies Project! Once again, very awesome!!!
hello everybody
On April 13, 2009 at 6:34 pm
What is the picture in the gunpowder section?
I really need the answer…
bo
On April 17, 2009 at 12:42 pm
hi
tic
On April 17, 2009 at 12:44 pm
great
g
On April 17, 2009 at 12:46 pm
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ron
On April 17, 2009 at 12:49 pm
its a great site
haileyyy ♥
On May 14, 2009 at 1:33 am
this is so awesome! GO this website
jay jay
On May 14, 2009 at 1:37 am
thanks valli bro,
this helped me heaps with my assignment. yur awesome man. xo
Asian person
On May 27, 2009 at 11:02 pm
This site was really helpful
i’m doing this project and i thank valli millions
i owe you lots
wonderful site
ur AWESOME
jay
On November 18, 2009 at 8:37 pm
omg that is so helpfull
mkd1788
On November 21, 2009 at 7:24 am
great post… informative…nice pics you have uploaded
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