Chinese Inventions

By William Gutierrez
  • 2700 BCE

    Tea

    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. Tea houses had sprung up throughout the country.
  • 850 BCE

    The Development of Gunpowder

    The Development of Gunpowder
    Gunpowder was made by alchemists who were trying to see if certain ingredients could extend life and by accident they created gunpowder. One of those ingredients were saltpeter which is the ingredient to make gunpowder.
  • Period: 200 BCE to 1400 BCE

    Chinese Inventions

  • 1 BCE

    Paper

    Paper
    The Chinese invented the art of paper making 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.
  • 400

    Improving Travel on Rivers, Lakes, Canals and Bridges

    Improving Travel on Rivers, Lakes, Canals and Bridges
    Have you ever paddled a canoe or other small boat? As you push your paddle through the water, the boat moves forward. In the 5th century, the Chinese adapted this idea by arranging a series of paddles in a wheel. People walked on a treadmill to turn the paddle-wheel, which in turn moved through the water, moving the boat forward.
  • 600

    Printing

    Printing
    In about the 7th century, the Chinese invented a technique called woodblock printing. The printer first drew characters (symbols) on
    paper. He then glued the paper to a wooden block. When the glue was dry, the printer carved out the wood around the characters, leaving the characters raised on the wood.
  • 700

    The Development of the Mechanical Clock

    The Development of 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.
  • 800

    Game Cards

    Game Cards
    Famous artists drew the designs that appeared on the backs
    of the cards. Europeans were introduced to card games by the late 1300s. Today, card games are played throughout
    the world.
  • 800

    Paper Money

    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.
  • 950

    Rocket Technology

    Rocket Technology
    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. They even developed a two-stage rocket for their armies. The first stage propelled the
    rocket through the air.
  • 950

    Artillrty shells

    Artillrty shells
    Artillery shells, for example, exploded after being hurled at enemies by a war machine called a catapult. The sound of the exploding
    shells confused the enemy and terrified their horses.