Chinese History

By Liam Beresford
  • Period: 3004 BCE to Dec 31, 1400

    Ancient China

  • 300 BCE

    compass

    compass
    Chinese compasses were made with a magnetic mineral
    called lodestone. Load stone is influenced by Earth’s magnetic poles. If you put a piece of lodestone on wood and float it in a bowl of water, the lodestone will turn until it points in a north-south direction. Travel
  • 450

    Paddle wheel

    Paddle wheel
    The Chinese made this by arranging a series of paddles in a wheel. People walked on a treadmill to turn the paddle wheel, which moved through the water, pushing the boat forward. Travel
  • Jan 1, 618

    Segmental arched bridge

    Segmental arched bridge
    The new Chinese bridge used arches that were a smaller part, or segment, of a circle. This made the bridges broader and flatter than semicircular arches could. Called a segmental arch bridge,
    the new type of bridge took less material to build and was
    stronger, as well. Travel
  • Jan 1, 700

    Mechanical clock

    Mechanical clock
    The mechanical 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. 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 is. Every day objects
  • Jan 1, 775

    Paper money

    Paper money
    Before paper money was invented, coins were the only form of currency.Paper money was printed with wood blocks. Later, Song printers were using multiple wood blocks to print each bill. A single bill would have many colors. Everyday Objects
  • Feb 14, 850

    Gunpowder

    Gunpowder
    Chinese alchemist looking for the secret to eternal life accidentally discovered gunpowder when working with salt peter. Military Technology.
  • Feb 16, 850

    playing cards

    playing cards
    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
  • Jan 1, 950

    Flame thrower

    Flame thrower
    Ancient Chinese flamethrowers contained gunpowder mixed with oil. The Chinese used them to spray enemies with fire. Military Technology
  • Jan 1, 1300

    Rocket Technology

    Rocket Technology
    Rocket technology was developed during the Song dynasty. Rockets were powered by black powder made of saltpeter, charcoal, and sulfur. Later, the Chinese used them as weapons. They even developed a two-stage rocket for their armies. The first stage propelled the rocket through the air. The second stage dropped arrows down on the enemy.Military Technology