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Period: 150 to Jan 1, 1400
CE
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175
Industry- Paper
The earliest Chinese paper was most likely made from hemp and then the bark of the mulberry tree. They then used rags. For more than 500 years the Chinese were the only country to know the secret of papermaking. -
185
Industry- Steel
Steel is made from iron, but is not a brittle as iron and is easier to bend into different shapes. The earliest Chinese steel was made from cast iron. The Chinese were the first to learn haw to make cast iron by melting and molding iron ore. They then learned that blowing air into molten or melted cast iron causes a chemical reaction creating steel. Although steel is fairly stronger than iron -
Feb 24, 625
Industry- Printing
The Chinese created an technique called woodblock printing. First the printer drew characters (symbols) on paper. Next, he glued the paper to a wooden block. When the glue was dry he carved out the wood around the characters leaving them raised in the wood. Then, the printer cover the characters with ink and spread paper over the block. That left the characters on the paper in the ink. -
Feb 17, 775
Everyday Objects- Mechanical Clock
The Chinese mechanical clock was first developed in 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. -
Feb 22, 810
Everyday Objects- Paper Money
Before the late 8th century the only form of currency was coins. Like game cards paper money was printed with wooden blocks. Song printers were using multiple wood blocks to print each bill. A single bill would have many colors. -
Feb 12, 850
Military Technology- Gunpowder
The chinese that was first to make gunpowder was an alchemist, meaning someone practiced a blend of science and magic known as alchemy. The chinese alchemist was experimenting with a mineral called saltpeter. By accident they discovered an explosive substance. -
Feb 17, 950
Military Technology- Flamethrower
The flamethrower was the first weapon developed by the Chinese that needed gunpowder. Early flamethrowers were made with gunpowder mixed with oil. The chinese used them to spay their enemy with a stream of fire. -
Feb 12, 1300
Military Technology- Rocket Technology
Rockets were powered by a black powder made of saltpeter, charcoal, and sulfur. First, rockets were used in fireworks only, until later when they started to use them as weapons. They 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. -
Feb 18, 1300
Everyday Objects- Game Cards
Printers used woodblock printing to make the cards from thick paper. Famous artists drew the designs that appeared on the back of the cards.
