Chinese Discoveries & Inventions

  • Period: 3000 BCE to Dec 31, 1400

    Chinese History

  • Compass
    250 BCE

    Compass

    Invented as early as the 3 century B.C.E. The original compass was made out of load stone. Which was magnetic. They later replaced it with a steel needle. It was more accurate. The assisted the on long voyages. EXPLORATION & TRAVEL
  • Porcelain
    50

    Porcelain

    A type of very nice pottery. Made by combing clay with other minerals like quartz and feldspar. It is baked at high temperatures that become hard and white. They were used all in lots of homes that showed great franchises and elegance. They were also traded to other countries. INDUSTRY
  • 150

    Steel

    It is made from iron, but it is easier to bend into shapes. They were the first to learn how to melt iron and mold iron ore. By blowing air into the cast iron steel was created, which is a whole lot stronger.It was later mass produced in the 1800s. INDUSTRY
  • Paddle Wheel Boat
    450

    Paddle Wheel Boat

    People walked on treadmill, witch were connected to the paddle wheel. By walking they powered the wheel, then causing the boat to move the boat forward. This the made travel faster easier to control. EXPLORATION & TRAVEL
  • Gunpowder
    Feb 13, 850

    Gunpowder

    Discovered accidentally by alchemist who were working with a substance called saltpeter. They were looking for something that would allow them to live forever. MILITARY TECHNOLOGY.
  • Rocket Technology
    Feb 17, 1130

    Rocket Technology

    It was developed during the Song Dynasty. They were powdered by saltpeter, charcoal, and sulfer. They were originally used as fireworks but then they were used for military reasons. This later spread around the globe. MILITARY TECHNOLAGY
  • Canal Lock
    Feb 14, 1179

    Canal Lock

    There was an old canal lock system in place, but the only downhill was that people had to drag their boats up ramps. The new system worked much more effective. It worked by raised or lowering the water, so that the boats could travel through at different levels. EXPLORATION & TRAVEL
  • Flamethrower

    Flamethrower

    This was the first weapon the Chinese invented that used gunpowder. They ran off of gunpowder and oil. These came in handy, and they used them to set fire to enemies. MILITARY TECHNOLAGY
  • Tea

    Tea

    First made by letting tea leaves steep in boiling water. It became very popular all throughout China. Later in 1200 it became an an industry. There were jobs as farmers growing tea trees, drying, and shipping to other countries. INDUSTRY