10 Great Ancient
Chinese Inventions
APRIL 18, 2009
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JAMIE FRATER
It is well known that China has an ancient and glorious history, from the feudal
periods ending in 222 BC through the three Imperial and Intermediate Eras,
up to the Modern era – over 4000 years of dynastic reigns. It may also be well
known that China is the source of many wonderful and useful inventions from
spaghetti to gunpowder. This list, however, will take a slightly different slant of
the topic: Chinese inventions and developments that were not known to or
adopted by the Western (European) world for many decades and sometimes
centuries after they were common place in China. Some you may be familiar
with, others perhaps less so.
As this is not a ‘top 10’ type list, the entries are in a (mostly) chronological
order of when they were invented or developed. Please note that these are
inventions and technological developments and not discoveries about the
natural world – though it is also true that in many cases the Chinese scientists
far preceded ‘The West’ in discoveries as well (e.g. William Harvey is credited
with discovering the circulation of blood in 1628. It was described in Chinese
documents in the 2nd Century BC).
1
Row Planting
Feudal Period – 6 Century BC
The Chinese started planting crops in rows sometime in the 6th century BC.
This technique allows the crops to grow faster and stronger. It facilitates more
efficient planting, watering, weeding and harvesting. There is also
documentation that they realized that as the wind travels over rows of plants
there is less damage. This obvious development was not instituted in the
western world for another 2200 years. Master Lu wrote in the “Spring and
Autumn Annals”: ‘If the crops are grown in rows they will mature rapidly
because they will not interfere with each other’s growth. The horizontal rows
must be well drawn, the vertical rows made with skill, for if the lines are
straight the wind will pass gently through.’ This text was compiled around 240
BC.
2
Compass
Feudal period – 4th Cent BC
The Chinese developed a lodestone compass to indicate direction sometime
in the 4th century BC. These compasses were south pointing and were
primarily used on land as divination tools and direct finders. Written in the 4th
Century BC, in the Book of the Devil Valley Master it is written: “lodestone
makes iron come or it attracts it”. The spoons were made from lodestone,
while the plates were of bronze. Thermo-remanence needles were being
produced for mariners by the year 1040, with common use recorded by 1119.
Thermo-remanence technology, still in use today, was ‘discovered’ by William
Gilbert in about 1600.
3
The Seed Drill
Han Dynasty: circa 202 BC – 220 AD
The Seed Drill is used to plant seeds into the soil at a uniform depth and
covers it. Without this tool seeds are tossed by hand over the ground resulting
in waste and inefficient, uneven growth. Chinese farmers were using seed
drills as early as the 2nd Century BC. The first known European instance was
a patent issued to Camillo Torello in 1566, but was not adopted by Europeans
into general use until the mid 1800’s.
4
Iron Plows
Han Dynasty: circa 202 BC – 220 AD
One of the major developments of the ancient Chinese agriculture was the
use of the iron moldboard plows. Though probably first developed in the 4th
century BC and promoted by the central government, they were popular and
common by the Han Dynasty. (So I am using the more conservative date). A
major invention was the adjustable strut which, by altering the distance of the
blade and the beam, could precisely set the depth of the plow. This
technology was not instituted into England and Holland until the 17th century,
sparking an abundance of food which some experts say was a necessary
prerequisite for the industrial revolution.
5
Deep Drilling
Han Dynasty: circa 202 BC – 220 AD
By the first century BC the Chinese had developed the technology for deep
drilling boreholes. Some of these reached depths of 4800 feet (about 1.5 km).
They used technology that would be easily recognizable to a modern engineer
and lay person alike. Derricks would rise as much as 180 feet above the
borehole. They stacked rocks with center holes (tube or doughnut shaped)
from the surface to the deep stone layer as a guide for their drills (similar to
today’s guide tubes). With hemp ropes and bamboo cables reaching deep into
the ground, they employed cast iron drills to reach the natural gas they used
as a fuel to evaporate water from brine to produce salt. The natural gas was
carried via bamboo pipes to where it was needed. There is also some
evidence that the gas was used for light. While I could not find exactly when
deep drilling was first used by the Europeans, I did not find any evidence prior
to the early industrial revolution (mid 18th century). In the United States, the
first recorded deep drill was in West Virginia in the 1820’s.
6
Ship’s Rudder
Han Dynasty: circa 202 BC – 220 AD
Chinese naval developments occurred far earlier than similar western
technology. The first recorded use of rudder technology in the West was in
1180. Chinese pottery models of sophisticated slung axial rudders (enabling
the rudder to be lifted in shallow waters) dating from the 1st century have
been found. Early rudder technology (c 100 AD) also included the easier to
use balanced rudder (where part of the blade was in front of the steering
post), first adopted by England in 1843 – some 1700 years later. In another
naval development, fenestrated rudders were common on Chinese ships by
the 13th century which were not introduced to the west until 1901.
Fenestration is the adding of holes to the rudder where it does not affect the
steering, yet make the rudder easy to turn. This innovation finally enabled
European torpedo boats to use their rudders while traveling at high speed
(about 30 knots).
7
Harness for Horses
Age of Division; circa 220 – 581 AD
Throat harnesses have been used throughout the world to harness horses to
carts and sleds. These harnesses press back on the neck of the horse thus
limiting the full strength of the animal. In the late feudal period (4th Century
BC) there is pictorial evidence (from the Chinese state of Chu) of a horse with
a wooden chest yoke. By the late Han Dynasty the yoke was made from softer
straps and was used throughout the country. By the 5Th century, the horse
collar (pictured above), which allows the horse to push with its shoulders, was
developed. This critical invention was introduced into Europe approximately
by 970 and became widespread within 200 years. Because of the greater
speed of horses over oxen, as well as greater endurance, agricultural output
throughout Europe increased significantly.
8
Porcelain
Sui Dynasty: 581 – 618 AD
Porcelain is a very specific kind of ceramic produced by the extreme
temperatures of a kiln. The materials fuse and form a glass and mineral
compound known for its strength, translucence and beauty. Invented during
the Sui Dynasty (but possibly earlier) and perfected during the Tang Dynasty
(618-906), most notably by Tao-Yue (c. 608 – c. 676), Chinese porcelain was
highly prized throughout the world. The porcelain of Tao-Yue used a ‘white
clay’ that was found on the edge of the Yangtze River, where he lived. By the
time of the Sung Dynasty (960-1279) the art of porcelain had reached its
peak. In 1708 the German Physicist Tschirnhausen invented European
porcelain, thus ending the Chinese monopoly. The picture above is a teabowl
with black glaze and leaf pattern from the Southern Sung Dynasty (11271279).
9
Toilet Paper
Sui Dynasty: 581 – 618 AD
As noted above, paper was an early invention of China. One of the first
recorded accounts of using hygienic paper was during the Sui Dynasty in 589.
In 851 an Arab traveler reported (with some amazement) that the Chinese
used paper in place of water to cleanse themselves. By the late 1300’s,
approximately 720,000 sheets per year was produced in packages of 1,000 to
10,000 sheets. In colonial times in America (late 1700’s) it was still common to
use corn-cobs or leaves. Commercial toilet paper was not introduced until the
1857 and at least one early advertiser noted that their product was ‘splinter
free’ – something quite far from today’s ‘ultra-soft’. One rather odd piece of
trivia I picked up during my research is that the Romans used a sponge tied to
the end of a stick – which may have been the origin of the expression “to grab
the wrong end of the stick”.
10
Printing – movable type
Song Dynasty: 960 – 1279 AD
That paper was invented by the Chinese is well known (by Cai Lun c 50-121
AD), and it is one of the great Chinese inventions. The recipe for this paper
still exists and can be followed by today’s artisans. In 868 the first printed
book, using full page woodcuts, was produced. About 100 years later the
innovations of Bi Sheng, pictured above, (990-1051) were described. Using
clay fired characters he made re-usable type and developed typesetting
techniques. Though used successfully to produce books, his technology was
not perfected until 1298. By contrast, Gutenberg’s bibles – the first European
book printed with movable type – were printed in the 1450’s. Interestingly, the
Chinese did not start using metal type until the 1490’s.
Top 20 ancient chinese inventions
Posted on November 21, 2012 by Peter
China held the world’s leading position in many fields in the study of nature, from the
1st century before Christ to the 15th century, with the four great inventions having the
greatest global significance – papermaking, printing, gunpowder and the compass.
Actually China contributed countless ancient inventions to the world.Ancient Chinese
inventions such as gunpowder, silk, paper, and the compass were and still are
prominent pieces of Chinese and global life.
1. Paper Making 105 A.C
Paper was first invented in China about 105 A.C. Its use then spread to Chinese
Turkestan in central Asia, the Arab world (c. 751 A.D.), Syria, Egypt, Morocco, Spain (c.
1150 A.D.), southern France, and the rest of Europe.
2. Movable Type Printing 960-1279 AD
In the Song Dynasty (960-1279), a man named Bi Sheng carved individual characters on
identical pieces of fine clay. Each movable type had on it one Chinese character which
was carved in relief on a small block of moistened clay. After the block had been
hardened by fire, the type became hard and durable and could be used anytime and
anywhere. The movable type pieces could be glued to an iron plate and easily detached
from the plate. Characters could be assembled to print a page and then broken up and
redistributed as needed. When the printing was finished, the pieces could be put away
for future use.
3. Gunpowder 1000 A.D
Gunpowder was invented in China c. 1000 A.D. and probably spread to Europe during
the Mongol expansion of 1200-1300 A.D., but this has not been proven. The use of
gunpowder in Europe was first recorded in 1313. Europeans used gunpowder for
cannons, while the Chinese used it primarily for firecrackers. Despite such early
knowledge of explosives and their use, China did not pursue the development
of weaponry as did the West; ironically, it was through the use of cannons and guns that
the Europeans were able to dominate China in the mid-to late-1800s.
4. Compass 1100 A.D.
Historians believe that the Chinese invented the magnetic compass and used it for
navigation c. 1100 A.D. Arab traders sailing to China probably learned of the Chinese
method of sailing by compass and returned to the West with the invention.
5. Alcohol
About 2000 BC－1600 BC
The earliest alcohol makers in Chinese legend were Yi Di and Du Kang of the Xia
Dynasty (about 2000 BC－1600 BC). Research shows that ordinary beer, with an
alcoholic content of 4% to 5%, was widely consumed in ancient China and was even
mentioned on oracle bone inscriptions as offerings to spirits during sacrifices in the
Shang Dynasty (1600 BC–1046 BC). After that, Chinese discovered that adding more
cooked grain in water during fermentation could increase the alcohol content, so
stronger drinks began to appear. Around 1000 BC, the Chinese created an alcoholic
beverage which was stronger than 11%. The potent libation was mentioned in poetry
throughout the Zhou Dynasty (1050 BC–256 BC). Meanwhile, no beer in the West
reached 11% until the 12th century, when distilled alcohol was first made in Italy.
6. Mechanical Clock 618－907 AD
According to historical research, the world’s first clock was invented by Yi Xing, a
Buddhist monk and mathematician of the Tang Dynasty (618－907). Yi’s clock operated
with water steadily dripping on a wheel that made a full revolution every 24 hours. As
time went on, clocks were made with an iron and bronze system of hooks, pins, locks
and rods, but still followed Yi Xing’s clock design. Hundreds of years later, Su Song, an
astronomer and mechanist of the Song Dynasty (960－1279), created a more
sophisticated clock, making him the ancestor of the modern clock.
7. Tea Production 2,737 BC
According to Chinese legend, tea was first drunk by the Chinese Emperor Shen Nong
around 2,737 BC. Then, an unknown Chinese inventor created the tea shredder, a small
device that used a sharp wheel in the center of a ceramic or wooden pot that would slice
the leaves into thin strips. During the Tang (618－907) and Song (960－1279) dynasties,
tea production developed rapidly, and tea became a popular drink around the country
and the world. Cha Jing, written by Lu Yu in the Tang Dynasty, is widely recognized as
the world’s first scientific work about tea production.
8. Silk About 2,100 years ago
Silk was invented by China. As early as 2,100 years ago, the country had mastered the
sophisticated technique of silk weaving – aristocrats in the West were willing to pay gold
of the same weight for the silks. The road used to transport silk called the Silk Road.
Today, China is still the largest producer of silk.
9. Practical Umbrella 386-532 AD
The first practical umbrella, invented in China during the Wei Dynasty (386-532 AD),
was designed to protect from both the rain and the sun. Soon thereafter they took on a
more symbolic meaning as ceremonial ornaments and momentos of the Emperor’s
trust.
The first practical umbrella, invented in China during the Wei Dynasty (386-532 AD),
was designed to protect from both the rain and the sun. Soon thereafter they took on a
more symbolic meaning as ceremonial ornaments and momentos of the Emperor’s
trust.
10. Acupunture Between the 11th and 2nd century B.C.
The Chinese system of acupuncture became one of the healing options available in the
west starting in about the 1970s. Very different from the causal concept of western
medicine, the needling aspect of acupuncture may stem from as far back as between the
11th and 2nd century B.C., according to Douglas Allchin:
11. Iron and steel smelting 1050 BC－256 BC
It has been confirmed by archaeological evidence that iron, made from melting pig-iron,
was developed in ancient China in the early 5th century BC during the Zhou Dynasty
(1050 BC－256 BC). During the Shang Dynasty (1600 BC－1046 BC) to the Eastern
Zhou Dynasty (1050 BC－256 BC), China went into a flourishing period for steel
smelting. In the Han Dynasty (202 BC－220 AD), private-enterprise iron-making was
abolished and was monopolized by the state, creating an iron-smelting bloom. The first
famous metallurgist in ancient China is Qiwu Huaiwen of the Northern Wei Dynasty
(386－557 AD), who invented the process of using wrought iron and cast iron to make
steel.
12. Porcelain 581 – 618 AD
Porcelain is a very specific kind of ceramic produced by the extreme temperatures of a
kiln. The materials fuse and form a glass and mineral compound known for its strength,
translucence and beauty. Invented during the Sui Dynasty (but possibly earlier) and
perfected during the Tang Dynasty (618-906), most notably by Tao-Yue (c. 608 – c.
676), Chinese porcelain was highly prized throughout the world. The porcelain of TaoYue used a ‘white clay’ that was found on the edge of the Yangtze River, where he lived.
By the time of the Sung Dynasty (960-1279) the art of porcelain had reached its peak. In
1708 the German Physicist Tschirnhausen invented European porcelain, thus ending
the Chinese monopoly. The picture above is a teabowl with black glaze and leaf pattern
from the Southern Sung Dynasty (1127-1279).
13. Earthquake Detector 132 A D
A seismograph was developed by the brilliant scientist, mathematician, and inventor
Chang Heng (whose works also show he envisaged the earth as a sphere with nine
continents and introduced the crisscrossing grid of latitude and longitude). His
invention was noted in court records of the later Han Dynasty in 132 AD (the fascinating
description is too long to reproduce here. It can be found on pgs. 162-166 of Temple’s
book). Modern seismographs only began development in 1848.
14. Rocket 228 A D
Ancient Chinese rockets date back to at least the third century. In 228, the Wei State
used torches attached to arrows to defend Chencang against the invading forces of the
Shu State. By the late 10th century, the Song Dynasty (960-1279) had mastered the art
of using gunpowder in its rockets. Paper tubes filled with gunpowder and fitted with
blasting fuses were attached to arrows. Later on, the gunpowder was carried directly
inside the arrow. These high-speed weapons wreaked terror on the enemy.
15. Bronze 1700 B.C.
The Chinese Bronze Age had begun by 1700 B.C. in the kingdom of the Shang dynasty
along the banks of the Yellow River in northern China. The Chinese craft of bronzecasting has endured for nearly four thousand years. Scientists studied and learned the
properties of the metal ore that they found in nature. Science revealed the idea and
process for mining and smelting the metal. The craft of casting the hot liquid metal was
born. Elaborate bronze artifacts date back thousands of years.
16. The Kite About 3, 000 years ago
Chinese inventions ran the gamut from fun to practical. The kite was invented in ancient
China around 3,000 years ago and initially had purely utilitarian uses. Over time kite
flying developed into a hobby for the Chinese elite and kite flying is now enjoyed
worldwide. No one really knows when the first kite was flown, but legend has it that a
Chinese farmer tied his hat to a string to keep it from blowing away and as a result, the
first kite was created. It is also speculated that kites came to be as a result of observing
wind in the sails of Chinese fishing boats. A further speculation is that the first kite was
simply a huge leaf with a long string attached.
17. The Seed drill 3500 years ago
The seed drill is a device that plants the seed into the ground. It replaces the farmer to
plant the seeds by hand, thus allowing the farmer to plant more acreage. The first seed
drill was introduced to Europe in sixteenth century, 3500 years after the Chinese had
invented it.
18. Row Crop Farming 6 Century BC
The Chinese started planting crops in rows sometime in the 6th century BC. This orderly
technique allowed farmers to irrigate more effectively and produce a higher crop yield.
19. Toothbrush 1498 in China
The bristle toothbrush, similar to the type used today, was not invented until 1498 in
China. The bristles were actually the stiff, coarse hairs taken from the back of a hog’s
neck and attached to handles made of bone or bamboo.
20. Paper Money 9th century AD.
The Chinese invented paper money at the end of the eighth or beginning of the ninth
century AD. Its original name was ‘flying money’ because it was so light and could blow
out of one’s hand. The first paper money was, strictly speaking, a draft rather than real
money. A merchant could deposit his cash in the capital, receiving a paper certificate
which he could then exchange for cash in the provinces. This private merchant
enterprise was quickly taken over by the government in 812. The technique was then
used for the forwarding of local taxes and revenues to the capital. Paper ‘exchange
certificates’ were also in use. These were issued by government officials in the capital
and were redeemable elsewhere in commodities such as salt and tea.
It is true that the Chinese are responsible for numerous inventions that have helped
shape history due to their applicability and convenience. Without the advancements
made by the ancient Chinese, technology and culture would have taken countless more
centuries to develop to their current stage.