Chinese inventions

By huegemic
  • 250

    COMPASS

    COMPASS
    The Chinese developed the first compass as early as the 3rd century B.C.E. The first
    Chinese compasses were pieces of a magnetic mineral
    called lodestone. EXPLORATION AND TRAVEL
  • 250

    WATER TIGHT COPARTMENTS

    WATER TIGHT COPARTMENTS
    By the 2nd century C.E., they started building
    ships with separate, watertight compartments.
  • 450

    PADDLE WHEEL

    PADDLE WHEEL
    Within China, people often traveled by boat on rivers or
    across lakes. An innovation of a vessel called a paddlewheel boat made this type of travel must faster.
  • Jan 1, 750

    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.
  • Jan 1, 750

    MECHANICAL CLOCK

    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.
  • Jan 1, 850

    GUNPOWDER

    GUNPOWDER
    Accidentally discovered by alchemists working with saltpeter looking for the secret to eternal life. MILITARY TECHNOLOGY
  • Jan 1, 850

    PLAYING CARDS

    PLAYING CARDS
    Game cards were invented in China in about the 9th century. Printers used
    woodblock printing to make the cards from thick paper.
  • Jan 1, 950

    FLAME THROWER

    FLAME THROWER
    By the 10th century, the Chinese had made the first weapon that used gunpowder, the flamethrower. MILITARY TECHNOLOGY
  • Jan 1, 1300

    ROCKET

    ROCKET
    Rocket technology was developed in China during the Song dynasty. Rockets were powered a black powder made of saltpeter, charcoal, and sulfur.