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2700 BCE
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
Developed gun powder
The Chinese who first made gunpowder were alchemists, people who practiced a blend of science and magic known as alchemy. Alchemists experimented with mixtures of natural ingredients, trying
to find a substance that might allow people to live forever. They also searched for a way to make gold out of cheaper
metals. -
1 BCE
Paper
The Chinese invented the art of papermaking 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
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.
The -
600
Printing
The invention of paper made another key
development possible: 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
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. The sounds let people know what time it was. -
800
Game cards and paper money
Game cards were invented in China in about the 9th century. Printers used woodblock printing to make the cards from thick paper. Famous artists drew the designs that appeared on the backs
of the cards. Europeans were introduced to card games by the late 1300s. -
800
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.
The -
950
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. -
950
Artillery 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. Small bombs, or grenades, were lit and thrown by hand.
