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2700 BCE
Tea
We know from written accounts that the Chinese have been drinking tea since at least 2700 B.C. For several thousand years, tea—made by letting tea leaves steep in boiling water—was drunk mostly as medicine. However, by the 8th century C.E., tea had become a hugely popular everyday beverage throughout China. -
Period: 300 BCE to Jan 1, 1400
Chinese History
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100
Paper
The Chinese invented the art of papermaking by the second century C.E. The earliest Chinese paper was probably made from hemp and then the bark of the mulberry tree. Later, the Chinese used rags. -
Jan 1, 650
Printing
The invention of paper made another key development possible: printing. In about the 7th century, the Chinese invented a technique called woodblock printing. -
Mar 1, 750
Paper Money
Paper money was invented by the Chinese in the late 8th or early 9th century. Before that time, coins were the only form of currency. Like game cards, paper money was printed with wood blocks. By 1107, Song printers were using multiple wood blocks to print each bill. A single bill would have many colors. Paper money is the most common form of currency in the world today. -
Mar 1, 750
The Mechanical Clock
The Chinese developed the first mechanical clock in about the 8th century. The new clock was more accurate than earlier timekeeping devices, such as sundials and hourglasses. The Chinese devised a wheel that made one complete turn every 24 hours. Dripping water made the wheel turn. Every quarter hour, drums would beat; and every hour, a bell would chime. The sounds let people know what time it was. -
Jan 1, 850
Gunpowder
Made by mistake, gunpowder was originally not meant to be used for warfare. Instead, someone was trying to find the answer to eternal life. -
Feb 26, 850
Game Cards
cards. Europeans were introduced to card games by the late 1300s. Today, card games are played throughout the world. -
Jan 1, 950
The Flamethrower
By the 10th century, the Chinese had made the first weapon that used gunpowder: the flamethrower. Early flamethrowers contained gunpowder mixed with oil. The Chinese used them to spray enemies with a stream of fire. -
Jan 2, 1250
Large bombs
In the 13th century, the Chinese used large bombs that were as explosive as modern bombs. Around the same time,they developed weapons much like today’s rifles and cannons.
