1200px forbidden city beijing shenwumen gate

Chinese Inventions

By will.draper
  • 650 BCE

    Printing

    Printing
    The Chinese invented the printing press in order to mass produce documents quickly.
  • Period: 300 BCE to 1400

    Chinese Inventions

  • 250 BCE

    Compass

    Compass
    Original Chinese compasses were just a piece of lodestone on a piece of wood.
  • 150 BCE

    Steel

    Steel
    Steel is made from iron, but is less brittle and can be bent. Steel is also much stronger than iron.
  • 50

    Porcelain

    Porcelain
    Porcelain is made by combining clay with quartz and feldspar, this mixture is baked in a kiln.
  • 150

    Paper

    Paper
    The original Chinese paper was made from hemp and the bark of a mulberry tree.
  • 750

    Mechanical Clock

    Mechanical Clock
    They invented a wheel that would turn every 24 hours. The wheel was turned by dripping water.
  • 850

    Gunpowder

    Gunpowder
    Chinese Alchemist accidentally discovered gunpowder while looking for eternal life.
  • 850

    Playing Cards

    Playing Cards
    Printers used woodblock printing to make the think paper cards.
  • 850

    Paper Money

    Paper Money
    Before paper money coins were the only type of currency. These original dollars were made from wooden blocks.