Chinese Discoveries and Inventions

Exploration and Travel Early Chinese compasses were made of a rock called lodestone, which, when floating, points north-south. It helped sailors and shippers. The compass still helps travelers navigate. The canal lock allowed boats to pass from one level to another in a canal. Canal locks are still used on modern canals like the Panama Canal and the Three Gorges Dam project in China

What new technology is replacing compasses?

Global Positioning System (GPS)

Exploration and Travel (cont) Segmental arch bridge took less material to build, and it was stronger, flatter and wider Paddlewheel boats were created by arranging a series of paddles on a wheel allowed much faster travel on rivers and lakes. Watertight compartments were used so a leak would not spread to the entire boat.

Industry Movable type uses a separate block for each character. Until recently, all newspapers, books, and magazines were printed using movable type. Tea was first used for medicinal purposes since at least 2700 BCE. Today it is one of the most popular drinks in the world. Porcelain is white, hard and waterproof and since Europeans did not know how to make it so they imported it and called it china.

Industry (cont) Paper was made from bark and led to the spread of learning. Woodblock printing led to the printing of modern style books as well as playing cards and paper money. Steel was invented by blowing air into melted iron ore causing a chemical reaction that creates steel which is much stronger than iron.

What new invention(s) are replacing books, paper, and typesetting?

Computers, internet, ebooks, email, etc…

Military Technology Gunpowder was created by alchemists experimenting with saltpeter looking for immortality. It was originally used for fireworks but later for flamethrowers, grenades, bombs and guns. Rockets were also originally used for fireworks and later for weapons.

Everyday Objects Paper money replaced coins. It was printed with wood blocks using many colors on each bill and is the most common form of currency today. Playing cards used woodblock printing to make the cards from thick paper Mechanical clocks replaced sundials and hourglasses. Modern day clocks are still based on the same fundamental principles as early Chinese clocks.

Do you believe paper currency will exist 100 years in the future?

Disease Prevention The Chinese developed a way to inoculate people against smallpox. They made a powder from the scab of an infected person and inserted it into the nose of the person who wanted to improve his/her immune system. This led to the development vaccines. Disinfectant: The Chinese burned a chemical that made a poisonous smoke that would kill germs. The Chinese would also steam the clothes of sick people which would kill germs.