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200
Paper 105 AD
Cai Lun of China invents paper in 105 AD.Cai Lun not only greatly improved the papermaking technique, but also made it possible to use a variety of materials, such as tree bark, hemp, rags, etc.Cai's paper (known as Cai Lun paper) was light and thin, strong and inexpensive, and could be mass-produced. Cai's contribution is considered one of the most important inventions in history, since it enabled China to develop its civilization much faster than with earlier writing materials. -
200
Zhang Heng's Seisometer 200 AD
Zhang Heng of China invents first seismometer to detect the cardinal direction of earthquakes. It was made of fine copper, and looked like a big cup with a lid. The instrument was cast with eight dragons on the surface (whose heads pointed in eight directions -east, south, west, north, southeast, northeast, southwest, and northwest),when an earthquake occurred, the dragon facing that direction would open its mouth, and the ball would fall into the toad's mouth. -
202
The Umbrella
Available sources suggested that collapsible umbrellas were designed with mechanical sliding levers during Han Dynasty (202 BC - 220 AD). Wang Mang, an official of Han Dynasty had designed a collapsible umbrella for a ceremonial four-wheeled carriage. -
226
The Aqua Alexandria 226 AD
The great and highly advanced Roman waterway system known as the Aqueducts, are among the greatest achievements in the ancient world. The Aqueducts, being the most visible and glorious piece of the ancient water system, stand as a testament to Roman engineering. The last Roman aqueduct built was the Aqua Alexandrina built in 226 AD. -
230
The South Pointing Chariot 230 AD
The South Pointing Chariot was a device that would remain pointing South no matter what turns your journey took. It was an early compass device based on differential gears most likely invented by Ma Jun in the 230s in Asia. -
240
The Kongming Lantern 240 AD
An early type of hot air balloon used for military signalling, known as the Kongming lantern was said to be invented by Zhuge Liang.The Kongming Lantern was the first hot air balloon, said to be invented by the Chinese sage and military strategist Zhuge Liang,[2] whose reverent term of address (i.e. Chinese style name) was Kongming. They were first deployed at the turn of the 3rd century as a type of signaling balloon or, as it's said, as a type of spy blimp in warfare. -
265
Longitude, Latitude on Maps 265 AD
The Romans were credited with inventing Longitude, Latitude on map in 265 AD. Latitude and longitude are the basic tools of mapmaking. They are the language used by mapmakers to communicate accurately about the locations of the various places on planet earth. Latitude and longitude are imaginary lines traced on the surface of the earth for the purpose of locating a specific place. The lines of latitude run east and west, and are parallel to each other. -
300
The Odometer 300 AD
An odometer is an instrument that indicates distance traveled by a vehicle. It was credited with being invented in China in 300 AD. -
300
Oil Street Lighting 300 AD
An organized effort at street lighting existed in Antioch (in present day Turkey) as early as the fourth century A.D. -
300
The Suspension Bridge
The suspension bridge was invented by Chinese in as early as 1st century AD. Rope made from bamboo was first constructed in 300 AD on the Min River. -
365
The Saddle 365 AD
The Sarmatians tribe first invented the saddle in 365 AD. The Sarmatians lived by the Black Sea and also invented the metal stirrup and spurs. -
370
Paddle Wheel Ships 370 AD
In battle, oxen-powered ancient Roman paddle ships were used as shock vessels. Shock vessels were the ships that spearheaded an assault on an enemy navy. The use of paddle wheel ships served to reduce the morale of enemy soldiers operating the ships as well as provide a force that could easily overpower most other ships on the sea due to speed and weight. Paddle wheels were also used in civilian and commercial ships to add speed in order to reach their destination sooner. -
400
The Astrolabe 400 AD
This tool was created for measurement of time and star positions in Alexandria. An astrolabe is an elaborate inclinometer, historically used by astronomers, navigators, and astrologers. Its many uses include locating and predicting the positions of the Sun, Moon, planets, and stars, determining local time given local latitude and vice-versa, and surveying, triangulation, and to cast horoscopes. -
400
The Hydrometer 400 AD
A hydrometer is an instrument used to measure the specific gravity (or relative density) of liquids; that is, the ratio of the density of the liquid to the density of water. The first hydrometer made of brass for weather prediction was invented by Hypatia in Alexandria. -
Period: to 500
Inventions from the 2nd to 4th Century AD
