-
200 BCE
studies
Over the centuries, Chinese scholars and scientists studied engineering, mathematics, science, and medicine, among other subjects. -
8 BCE
tea
made by letting tea leaves steep in boiling water—was drunk mostly as medicine -
7 BCE
printing
Chinese invented a technique called woodblock
printing -
5 BCE
Rivers
They needed water so they found rivers near them. -
5 BCE
paddle wheel and treadmill
Chinese adapted this idea by arranging a series of paddles in a wheel. People walked on a treadmill to turn the paddle wheel, which in turn moved through the water, moving the boat forward. -
5 BCE
canal lock
Another way the Chinese improved transportation was by developing a new type of canal lock, during the Song
dynasty. The Chinese used canals extensively to connect the many rivers. As the surrounding land sloped up, parts of
canals were at different levels. -
5 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. -
3 BCE
magnetic compass
made a compass for directions -
2 BCE
boat construction
work on improving boat construction. -
2 BCE
brigdes
improving on bridges to travel more places
