Chinese Inventions

Who Invented

 

The 'Four Great Chinese Inventions': The 'Four Great Chinese Inventions' in the history of Chinese science and technology were the invention of gunpowder, paper, printing and the compass. Paper was invented c. 100 BC during the Han dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD). The invention of woodblock printing on cloth also developed during the Han dynasty and was later improved with the invention of wooden movable type. Gunpowder was described in military manuscript dated 1044 during the Song Dynasty (960–1279) but is believed to date back to age known as the Period of Five Dynasties (618–907). The invention of the use of the compass for navigation purposes was c.206 BC.

Chinese Inventions:  The 'Four Great Chinese Inventions' are just a few of the amazing inventions that originated in China. Other famous Chinese Inventions include tea, fireworks, nail polish, chess and playing cards.

 

List and Facts about Chinese Inventions

 

 Inventions and Inventors Index

 

Chinese Inventions Fact File: Inventions: Paper *** Woodblock Printing *** Gunpowder *** Compass *** Chess *** Fireworks *** Ice Cream *** Nail Polish *** Playing Cards *** Soccer *** Tea *** Yo-Yo *** Alcohol *** Mechanical Clock *** Silk *** Lacquer *** Acupuncture *** Iron Smelting *** Porcelain *** Treasure Ship *** Astronomical clock *** Toothbrush *** South-pointing chariot *** Seismograph *** Kite *** Paper money *** Fans *** Firearms *** Chopsticks *** Wallpaper *** List of Chinese Inventions ***

Chinese Inventions - Paper (c. 100 BC): The Invention of Paper in c. 100 BC during the Han dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD) using rags and other plant fibers to produce paper, one of the 'Four Great Chinese Inventions'.    

Chinese Inventions - Printing (Woodblock): The invention of Woodblock Printing, using engraved woodblocks to print letters and images,  was made during the period in Chinese history known as the Han Dynasty (202 BC – AD 220). Bi Sheng (c. 990–1051) was the inventor of clay movable type printing, one of the 'Four Great Chinese Inventions'.

Chinese Inventions - Compass (c.206 BC): The invention of the Compass as an instrument of navigation was made c. 206 BC during the Han Dynasty. The compass was one of the 'Four Great Chinese Inventions'.

Chinese Inventions - Gunpowder (1044): The invention of Gunpowder was described in a military document dated 1044 during the Song Dynasty (960–1279). Gunpowder was one of the 'Four Great Chinese Inventions'.

Chinese Inventions - Fireworks (c. 650 AD): The invention of Fireworks was made before the invention of gunpowder in c. 650 AD by a monk named Li Tian during the Tang Dynasty (618AD - 907AD) using a mixture of potassium nitrate (a chemical that makes something burn), Sulfur and Charcoal. The three items were placed in hollowed out pieces of wood or bamboo tubes and thrown into a fire, one of the amazing Chinese inventions.

Chinese Inventions - The Gun (c. 650 AD): The Gun was invented in China c. 1250 A.D. during the Medieval Era era of inventions.

Chinese Inventions - Rocket (228 AD): The invention of Rocket was made in 228 AD when arrows were attached to torches and fired at the enemy. Following the invention of gunpowder in 1044 AD during the Song Dynasty (960-1279) a paper tube was filled with gunpowder and attached to an arrow making a more effective rocket, one of the awesome Chinese inventions..

Chinese Inventions - Silk (c. 4000 BC): The invention of Silk was made c. 4000 BC using the fiber produced by silkworms which was woven into a very beautiful, soft and smooth fabric, one of the coolest Chinese inventions..

Chinese Inventions - Chess (c. 200 BC): The invention of the strategic game of Chess was made c. 200 BC by Han Xin (c. 231 - 196 BC), a great military leader in China.

Chinese Inventions - South-pointing chariot (c. 250 AD): Ma Jun (c. 200–265) was a prolific Chinese inventor who inventions included the South-pointing chariot (a navigational aid) and a mechanical puppet theater.

Chinese Inventions - Seismograph (132 AD): The invention of Seismograph was made 132 AD.  A Seismograph is a measuring device for detecting and measuring the intensity, direction and duration of an earthquake

Chinese Inventions - Ice Cream (c. 200 BC): The invention of Ice Cream was made c. 200 BC using a mixture of flour, camphor, water buffalo milk and ice.

Chinese Inventions - Nail Polish (c. 3000 BC): The invention of Nail Polish was made c. 3000 BC using a mixture of beeswax, gum arabic, egg whites, natural dyes from flowers and gelatin.

Chinese Inventions - Treasure Ship (c. 1410 AD): The invention of the treasure ship, a highly advanced, massive, wooden ship was invented by admiral Zheng He (1371–c. 1433) during the early 15th-century Ming Dynasty.

Chinese Inventions - Kite (c. 1000 BC): The invention of Kite was made c. 1000 BC originally as a signalling device for military purposes. It was later adapted to become a toy for children.

Chinese Inventions - Playing Cards (c. 800 AD): The invention of Playing Cards was made c. 800 AD during the Tang Dynasty (618AD - 907AD). The Playing Cards had pictures of characters from ancient Chinese legends and stories.

Chinese Inventions - Soccer (c. 206 BC): The invention of Soccer (football) originated c. 206 BC during the Han dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD)

Chinese Inventions - Tea (c. 2737 BC): The invention of Tea c. 2737 BC is attributed to Shen Nung (c.2700 B.C. - c.2768 B.C.) by steeping the dried leaves of the tea shrub or tea tree in water.

Chinese Inventions - Paper money (c. 740 AD): The invention of Paper money was made c. 740 BC during the Tang Dynasty (618AD - 907AD). Chinese paper money was used as a form of as exchange notes or bills of credit.

Chinese Inventions - Astronomical clock (c.700 AD): The invention of the Astronomical clock was made by Yi Xing (683–727) c.700AD. during the Zhou dynasty (c. 1046 BC–256 BC), one of the awesome Chinese inventions.

Chinese Inventions - Yo-Yo (c.1000 B.C.): The invention of Yo-Yo toy was made c.1000 B.C. during the Zhou dynasty (c. 1046 BC–256 BC).

Chinese Inventions - Alcohol (c. 2000 BC - 1600 BC): The invention of Alcohol was made c. 2000 BC - 1600 BC

Chinese Inventions - Mechanical Clock (725 A.D): The invention of Mechanical Clock was made in 725 A.D by Yi Xing, a Buddhist monk.

Chinese Inventions - Acupuncture (c. 2000 BC): The invention of Acupuncture, an ancient Chinese medical practice, was made c. 2000 BC using fine needles to pierce the body to reduce pain, one of the greatest Chinese inventions..

Chinese Inventions - Iron Smelting (c. 400 BC): The invention of Iron Smelting (c. 400 BC), made by melting pig-iron, during the Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BC).

Chinese Inventions - Fans: The invention of fans for cooling people, using feathers or bamboo, was made during the Zhou Dynasty.

Chinese Inventions - Porcelain: The invention of Porcelain, also called 'fine china', was made in the Shang Dynasty (1600–1046 BC). Porcelain is a hard, white, translucent ceramic made by firing and glazing clay.

Chinese Inventions - Chopsticks: The invention of Chopsticks was made c. 4000 BC during the time when agriculture was developing.

Chinese Inventions - Toothbrush: The first toothbrush with bristles was invented in the 15th century which was made of animal bone, bamboo and hog hair.

Chinese Inventions - Lacquer: The invention of Lacquer was made in China c.500 BC. The Chinese discovered that the sap of a tree, Rhus vernicifera, had a black resinous substance that could be applied in successive layers to wooden objects as a natural, glossy varnish.

Chinese Inventions - Wallpaper (c. 200 BC): The Chinese invented Wallpaper by gluing rice paper onto their walls as early as 200 B.C.

Modern Chinese Inventions: The Chinese went on to invent and improve many other devices in more modern times. Lin Yutang (1895–1976), invented the Chinese language typewriter and Hon Lik (1951 - Present) invented the electronic cigarette.

Chinese Inventions: We hope that the facts in this article have provided the answers to all of your questions about Chinese Inventions and their inventors.

List of Ancient Chinese Inventions: List of Inventions: Paper *** Gunpowder *** Compass *** Lacquer *** Fireworks *** Woodblock Printing *** Ice Cream *** Playing Cards *** Soccer *** Tea *** Alcohol *** Silk *** Acupuncture *** Iron Smelting *** Paper money *** Porcelain *** Seismograph *** Kite *** Chess *** Mechanical Clock *** Nail Polish *** Rocket *** Treasure Ship *** Astronomical clock *** South-pointing chariot *** Yo-Yo *** Ancient Chinese Inventions ***

Chinese Inventions - Inventor - Invention - Famous - List - Lists - Four Great Chinese Inventions - Paper - Woodblock Printing - Gunpowder - Compass - Chess - Fireworks - Ice Cream - Nail Polish - Playing Cards - Soccer - Tea - Yo-Yo - Alcohol - Mechanical Clock - Silk - Acupuncture - Iron Smelting - Porcelain - Seismograph - Kite - Paper Money - Ancient Chinese Inventions - History - Timeline