Historical

Antecedents in
the Course of
Science and
Technology of
the Chinese
Civilization
 The Ancient Chinese were
famous for their inventions and
technology. Many of their
inventions had lasting impact
on the entire world. Other
inventions led to great feats of
engineering like the Grand
Canal and the Great Wall of
China.

Other - Other inventions

include the umbrella,
porcelain, the wheelbarrow,
iron casting, hot air balloons,
seismographs to measure
earthquakes, kites, matches,
stirrups for riding horses, and
acupuncture.

Introduction
Did you know China? Did you know that they
invented many things we are using nowadays?
including paper, compass etc.? Well in this timeline
you'll see what the Chinese have produced
throughout the century.

Chinese science and

technology are thriving and
have had a significant
influence on the global scene.
They created innovations that
are still in use today, such as
the umbrella that covers us
from the sun and the rain.
China was very accomplished
in science and technology;
they created writing paper
and even compass devices so
that people could navigate. It
has been demonstrated that
Chinese technologies have
benefited our generation in
numerous ways today.
A
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2070
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I I TO
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A
T
Umbrella 3500 BC- The history of the
umbrella dates to China more than 3500
years ago. The first umbrella, according
to legend, was developed by Chinese
inventor and carpenter Lu Ban.

He made an
umbrella out
of a flexible
structure
covered in
cloth after
seeing how
children used
lotus leaves as
rain shelters.
Silk around 2700 BC - One of the oldest fabrics,
silk, was developed in China more than 6,000
years ago. The earliest evidence of silk was
unearthed in the Yangshao culture site in
Xiaxian County, Shanxi Province, China, where
a cut-in-half silk cocoon from between 4,000
and 3,000 years ago was discovered.

The West had to pay

the equivalent amount
of gold in gold for the
silks because the
Chinese had developed
advanced silk weaving
technology that was a
closely kept secret. Silk
was a priceless
commodity produced in
China in ancient times,
and for many centuries,
traders transported it
from China to the West
along the now-famous
Silk Road.
 Tea Production 2,737 BC - Shennong, the
Chinese Father of Agriculture, is credited with
discovering tea in an ancient Chinese narrative
that takes place around 2,737 BC. During the
Tang Dynasty (618–907), tea gained popularity
and was consumed by people from all social
strata.
The Tang Dynasty
book Cha Jing (also
known as The Book of
Tea) by Lu Yu
described how to
cultivate tea, how to
consume tea, and the
various types of tea.
details. The book is
regarded as the first
monograph on tea
ever written. And the
largest and oldest live
tea tree in the world,
which is about 3,200
years old, is in Lin
Cang, China.

 －
Alcohol 2000 BC 1600 BC - It was long
believed that the first people to manufacture
beer were those who lived in the Arabian
Peninsula. But in 2013, alcohol was discovered
in pottery that was 9000 years old and
discovered in the Chinese state of Henan.

Jiu, the Chinese name for

alcohol, was frequently
offered as a spiritual
offering to Heaven, the
Earth, or the ancestors in
ancient China.
According to research,
ancient Chinese people
frequently drank beer,
which was even
referenced on oracle
bone inscriptions from
the Shang Dynasty. This
beer had an alcohol
concentration of 4% to
5%. (1600 BC–1046 BC).
Bronze 1700 B.C - The ancient Chinese had
mastered the art of producing bronze. China
entered the Bronze Age during the Shang and
Zhou dynasties (1600–1046 BC) and the
production of bronze goods peaked during this
time.

At that period, bronze was primarily employed

to produce weapons, bronze tools, and ritual
vessels. Chinese bronze goods distinguish
themselves from counterparts from other parts
of the world because of their intricate
decorative patterns and inscriptions.
The Kite around 1000 BC - The ancient Chinese
invented the kite over 3,000 years ago. The
first kites, known as Muyuan, were fashioned of
wood (wooden kite).

In the past, kites were primarily employed for

military functions such signaling, measuring
distances, testing the wind, and transmitting
messages. Kite flying became a toy over time,
and today it is popular all around the world.

 －
Iron smelting 1050 BC 256 BC - Iron smelting
technology was created in China as early as the
5th century BC during the Zhou Dynasty (1050
BC-256 BC), according to archeological
findings. China saw a boom in iron smelting
during the Spring and Autumn and Warring
States periods (776-221 BC). Iron smelting was
monopolized by the central government during
the Han Dynasty (202 BC–220 AD), which saw
significant advancement.

 －
Iron smelting 1050 BC 256 BC - Iron smelting
technology was created in China as early as the
5th century BC during the Zhou Dynasty (1050
BC-256 BC), according to archeological
findings. China saw a boom in iron smelting
during the Spring and Autumn and Warring
States periods (776-221 BC). Iron smelting was
monopolized by the central government during
the Han Dynasty (202 BC–220 AD), which saw
significant advancement.

400 BCE - By 209 BCE, the Chinese

army had 50,000 crossbowmen
equipped with bronze weapons. .

These
crossbows,
which were a
crucial combat
tool before
rifles were
created, were
often mounted
and had a 650-
foot range
perial Chi
21 BC - 191
perial Chi
Imperial China
(221 BC - 1912)
21 BC - 191
perial Chi
Acupuncture around 100 BC - The "Neijing,"
the oldest treatise on Chinese medicine this
document, commonly referred to as "The
Classic of Internal Medicine of the Yellow
Emperor," demonstrates that acupuncture was
a popular form of treatment in China even
before it was written.

Acupuncture needles of various types were

also found in the grave of the deceased Prince
Liu Sheng. around 200 B.C. This is another
evidence that acupuncture was used in China
more than 2000 years ago.
Paper Making 105 AD - The first paper was
invented in the 2nd century BC and the
manufacture later perfected around 105
AD. By a eunuch named Ts'ai Lun, a
member of the Chinese Imperial Court,
utilizing mulberry bark and other natural
fibers.

His advanced paper-

making technology
then spread to central
Asia and the world
through the Silk Road.
The invention of
paper greatly affects
human history
because of many
many interesting uses
for paper like paper
money and playing
cards.
Paper Making 105 AD - The first paper was invented in the
2nd century BC and the manufacture later perfected around
105 AD. By a eunuch named Ts'ai Lun, a member of the
Chinese Imperial Court, utilizing mulberry bark and other
natural fibers. Seismograph 132 AD - According to court
documents from the later Han Dynasty, the renowned
inventor Zhang Heng (78-140 AD) invented a seismograph in
132 AD.

Its purpose is to ascertain

an earthquake's
direction. This device
detected an earthquake
in Longxi, which was
1,000 kilometers away, in
the year 138 AD. It was
the first time in human
history that an
earthquake was
detected. The first
seismograph to be
recorded was made of
bronze and had eight
ornately crafted
receptacles in the shape
of frogs. Modern
seismographs only
started to be developed in
Europe in 1848.
 The Great Wall of China is a
chain of fortifications built across
the historical northern borders of
ancient Chinese states and
Imperial China to protect against
nomadic groups from the
Eurasian Steppe. Several walls
were constructed as early as the
seventh century BC, with select
stretches later joined by Qin Shi
Huang (220-206 BC), China's first
emperor. Little of the Qin wall has
survived. Later, many successive
dynasties constructed and
maintained numerous stretches
of border walls. The Ming dynasty
constructed the most well-known
sections of the wall (1368–1644).
The Great Wall of China's history began
when the first emperor of China, Qin Shi
Huang, connected fortifications built by
various states during the Spring and
Autumn (771-476 BC)[1] and Warring
States periods (475-221 BC) to protect his
newly founded Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
against incursions by nomads from Inner
Asia.

The walls were built of

rammed earth with
forced labor and
stretched from Gansu
to the coast of
southern Manchuria
by 212 BC.
Rocket 228 AD - Rockets originated in China,
where early inventors exploited the
counterforce produced by gunpowder that
had been ignited to build them. History
records that in 228 A.D.

The Wei State had already utilized arrows

with torches attached to protect Chencang
from the Shu State's invaders. Later, the
Song Dynasty (960–1279) developed rockets
using gunpowder. An arrow that can be fired
from a bow was fastened to a paper tube that
was filled with gunpowder. In China, military
and amusement operations frequently made
use of both old and improved rockets of this
type.
Mi
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Porcelain 581 – 618 AD- A fantastic Chinese
invention is porcelain. The Shang Dynasty
(1600–1046 BCE) saw the emergence of the
first porcelain, which reached maturity
during the Tang Dynasty (618- 906).

Porcelain 581 –
618 AD- A
fantastic Chinese
invention is
porcelain. The
Shang Dynasty
(1600–1046 BCE)
saw the
emergence of the
first porcelain,
which reached
maturity during
the Tang Dynasty
(618- 906).
Mechanical Clock
725 A.D - Water-
driven Spherical
Birds, the earliest
mechanical clock in
history - was created
in 725 A.D. by the
Buddhist monk Yi
Xing. It was run by
water drips, which
propelled a wheel
that turned once
every 24 hours. A
more advanced
clock known as the
Cosmic Empire was
established in 1092
by the inventor Su
Song, hundreds of
years before the
mechanical clock
was made in Europe
Paper Money 9th
century A.D- The
ancient Chinese were
the first to create
paper money, and
they began
employing folding
money at the end of
the eighth or
beginning of the
ninth century AD.
Privately issued bills
of credit or exchange
notes were first used
as paper money. A
businessman could
deposit money in the
capital and receive a
paper "exchange
certificate" that he
could then swap for
other currency other
cities' metal coins.
Late Imperial
China (960-1912
Late Imperial
Late
China (960-1912
Imperial
Late Imperial
ChinaChina
(960-1912
(960-1912)
Late Imperial
China (960-1912
ate Imperial
hina (960-1912
Gunpowder 1000 A.D- Gunpowder
was invented in the 9th century by
Chinese Taoist alchemists trying to
find the Elixir of Immortality. Not
long after, engineers figured out how
to use gunpowder for military uses
such as bombs, guns, mines, and
even rockets. They also invented
fireworks and made great beautiful
displays of fireworks for
celebrations.
Compass 1100 A.D- A compass is a
navigational instrument that shows
directions. The compass was
invented by the Chinese between the
2nd century BC and 1st century AD.
The first compasses were created
using lodestone, an iron stone that is
naturally magnetic. The Song
dynasty employed it as a means of
land navigation and gave it the name
"South Pointing Fish." They used this
in city planning at first, but it became
very important to map makers and
for the navigation of ships.
Toothbrush
1498 in China -
Chinese
artisans created
toothbrushes in
1498 that had
bristles
composed of
coarse horse
hairs linked to
handles made
of bone or
bamboo. Later,
Europeans took
it to the New
World.
One of the most incredible inventions of
Late Imperial China was the Hydro-
Mechanical Astronomical Clock
engineered by Su Song in the Song
Dynasty (960 - 1279). .
A clock that is
powered by
the flow of
water and
does not only
tells time but
also tells the
day of the
month, phases
of the moon,
and the
position of
certain stars
and planets in
space
Although Woodblock
Printing was invented in the
Tang’s Dynasty (618 - 907), it
was extended to producing
books on the classics,
literature, and illustrations in
the Song’s Dynasty and
eventually became so
advanced in the Ming’s
Dynasty (1368 - 1644) with its
ability to give full-color
effects through the use of
separate blocks for different
colors.
Modern China (1912 - Present)
Chinese technology and scientific
advances are not entirely lost in the
distant past. The Nobel Prize in
Physics was won in 1957 by Chen Ning
Yang and Tsung Dao Lee.
Choh Hao Li, a
biochemist, is
the world's best
expert on the
pituitary gland.
A nuclear
reactor, an
atomic bomb, a
missile to deliver
it, and a satellite
were all built by
Chinese
physicists
between 1958
and 1970.
 Fun Facts

Gunpowder, paper, printing, and the compass are sometimes

called the Four Great Inventions of Ancient China.

Kites were first used as a way for the army to signal warnings.

Umbrellas were invented for protection from the sun as well as

the rain.

Chinese doctors knew about certain herbs to help sick people.

They also knew that eating good foods was important to being
healthy.

Compasses were often used to make sure that homes were built
facing the correct direction so they would be in harmony with
nature.

The Grand Canal in China is the longest man made canal or

river in the world. It is over 1,100 miles long and stretches from
Beijing to Hangzhou.

They invented the abacus in the 2nd century BC. This was a
calculator that used sliding beads to help compute math
problems quickly.

A clear coating called lacquer was made to protect and enhance

certain works of art and furniture.

Paper money was first developed and used in China during the
Tang dynasty (7th century).

REFERENCE

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Wall_of_China

http://www.chinawhisper.com/top-20-ancient-chinese-inventions/

https://www.ducksters.com/history/china/inventions_technology.php

https://pan-art-connections.com/content/ancient-chinese-science-and-
technology/#:~:text=The%20compass%2C%20gunpowder%2C%20paper%2C,the%20te
chnological%20achievements%20of%20China.

https://www.gardenstreet.co.uk/blog/history-of-
wheelbarrows/#:~:text=When%20was%20the%20wheelbarrow%20first%20invented%3
F,the%20front%20lines%20of%20battle.

https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/compass/#:~:text=Historians%20th
ink%20China%20may%20have,end%20of%20the%2012th%20century.

https://www.smith.edu/hsc/museum/ancient_inventions/hsc10b.htm#:~:text=The%20e
arliest%20representations%20we%20have,fire%20up%20to%20650%20feet.

https://lammuseum.wfu.edu/2020/05/china-make-your-own-
paper/#:~:text=Historical%20records%20trace%20papermaking%20to,bark%2C%20silk
%2C%20and%20hemp.

https://asiasociety.org/education/chinese-
inventions#:~:text=Many%20are%20surprised%20to%20realize,papermaking%2C%20p
rinting%2C%20and%20gunpowder.