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Period: 3000 BCE to Jan 1, 1400
3000 BCE - 1400 CE
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2600 BCE
Tea
For several thousands of years tea was drunk as medicine. INDUSTRY -
250 BCE
Compass
The first Chinese compasses were made of lodestone. They were used for navigating while traveling. EXPLORATION & TRAVEL -
50
Porcelain
Porcelain is made by combining clay with the minerals quartz and feldspar. The mixture is the put in a kiln and becomes a white, hard, and waterproof pottery. INDUSTRY -
150
Paper
Chinese paper was most likely made of hemp and the bark of a mulberry tree. INDUSTRY -
450
Paddle Wheel Boat
The paddle wheel boat was easy to maneuver and made traveling by river much easier. EXPLORATION & TRAVEL -
Jan 1, 618
Bridges
A Chinese engineer came up with a new arched bridge. EXPLORATION & TRAVEL -
Jan 1, 750
Gun Powder
Alchemists trying to find an eternal life elixir, using saltpeter, accidentally created gunpowder. MILITARY TECHNOLOGY -
Jan 1, 950
Flamethrowers
Early flamethrowers contained gunpowder mixed with oil. The Chinese used them to spray enemies with a stream of fire. MILITARY TECHNOLOGY -
Jan 1, 1300
Rockets
Rockets were powered by a black powder made of saltpeter, charcoal, and sulfur. At first, rockets were used only in fireworks. Later, the Chinese used them as weapons.
MILITARY TECHNOLOGY
