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150
Industry: Paper
The earliest paper made by the Chinese was probably made from hemp and the bark from the mulberry tree. Later, they started to use rags. -
200
Industry: Steel
Steel is made from iron, but is less brittle and easier to bend into different shapes. The Chinese found out that blowing air in to molten, or melted, cast iron casues a chemical reaction making steel. Steel is much stronger than iron. -
Period: 200 to Feb 11, 1400
CE
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Feb 12, 650
Industry: Printing
The China invented a type of printing called woodblock printing. First the printer drew characters on the paper. Then the paper was glued on to a woooden block. After the glue dried, the printer carved out the wood around the characters and left the characters raised on the wood. -
Feb 17, 750
EveryDay Objects: Mechanical Clock
Very different from todays clocks but the wheel in the clock turned every 24 hours and the wheel truned by dripping water. Also, every quarter hour drums would beat, every hour a bell would chime. These sounds helped people to know what time it is. -
Feb 17, 750
Industry: Tea
For thousands of years, China used tea, which was made by letting tea leaves steap in to boiling water, for medicine mainly. -
Feb 11, 850
Military Technology: Gun Powder
Alchemists created gunpowder on accident. They experimented with a mineral called saltpeter. The alchemists thought that this mineral had a potential of making people immortal, but instead they discovered it could be used for explosive powder. -
Feb 17, 850
EveryDay Objects: Game Cards and Paper Money
Printers made paper money with woodblock printing using thick paper. The pictures on the back of the playing cards were drew by famous artists in China.Today, these cards are still used all around the world. -
Feb 11, 950
Military Technology: Flamethrower
The Flamethrower is the first weapon developed by the Chinese after the development of gunpowder. The Chinese used gunpowder mixed with oil for fuel. -
Feb 12, 1300
Military Technology: Rockets
Originally rockets were only used for fireworks which was made up of and powered by a black powder made of saltpeter,charcoal, and sulfur. Then later China used them as a weapon. It had two stages, The first one fired the rocket in to the air. Then the second stage dropped arrows down on the enemy. Not much different from todays rockets.
