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Another Chinese invention is a type of fine pottery called porcelain. Some historians think that the Chinese produced the first porcelain as early as the 1st century C.E.
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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.
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Europeans also developed a compass using lodestone.
However, the Chinese eventually replaced the lodestone
with a steel needle. -
The Chinese also found ways to improve bridges. For
example, in 618 C.E. , a Chinese engineer completed a new
type of arched bridge. -
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.
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The invention of paper made another key development possible: printing. In about the 7th century, the Chinese invented a technique called woodblock printing.
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The Chinese who first made gunpowder were alchemists, people who practiced a blend of science and magic known as alchemy.
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Early flamethrowers contained gunpowder mixed with oil. The Chinese used them to spray enemies with a stream of fire.
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Rocket technology was developed in China during the Song dynasty. Rockets were powered by a black powder made of saltpeter, charcoal, and sulfur.
