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The first Chinese compasses were pieces of a magnetic mineral called lodestone. Earth itself is like a giant magnet with north and south poles. Because lodestone is magnetic, it is influenced by Earth’s magnetic poles. EXPLORATION AND TRAVEL
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They started building ships with separate, watertight compartments. Builders divided the ships into sections and sealed each section with caulk, a sealant that keeps out water. If there were a leak, it would be isolated. The other compartments would not fill with water, keeping the ship afloat. EXPLORATION AND TRAVEL
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Within China, people often traveled by boat on rivers or across lakes. This is an innovation of a vessel that makes the boat go faster. EXPLORATION AND TRAVEL
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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.
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Printers used woodblock printing to make the cards from thick paper. Famous artists drew the designs that appeared on the backs of the cards. EVERYDAY OBJECTS
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Discovered accidentally by alchemists who were working with a substance called saltpeter. They were looking for something that would allow them to live forever. MILITARY TECHNOLOGY
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Before that time, coins were the only form of currency, but they changed that. Like game cards, paper money was printed with wood blocks.EVERYDAY OBJECTS
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This was the first weapon ever that would contain gunpowder. The Chinese loaded them with a mixture of gunpowder and oil. They used them to spray enemies with a stream of fire.
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Rocket technology was developed in China during the Song dynasty. 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
