In this world of fast food and fast cars, have you ever given a thought to those who have probably enabled you to have an easy life? With the advancement of technology in every sphere of our life, there are probably many things one could never do without however seemingly small they may sound to be! Ancient China has played a significant part in many famous inventions that have had a major role to play in our lives. Ancient Chinese inventions have helped us in many ways then we can ever think of! Many famous inventions that we can recount today belong to ancient China. Let us check out the famous inventions of ancient China and know some details about the same.
Chinese Inventions: Famous Inventions of Ancient China
The Compass:
The earliest version of the compass was invented in China in the year 1044. Mariners use the compass to find directions on Earth. Such a compass is used to calculate the latitude and the longitude as well. This famous Chinese invention has seen many advanced changes along the way. Basically, a compass is used to find the magnetic North Pole of the Earth. Generally, such a compass has either a needle or a magnetic bar that points towards the direction of the bar and such a needle or bar is placed either in floating liquid or upon a pivot. Today, the basic Chinese invention is modified and one can see many more advanced versions being used by professions across the globe. One of the earliest known mentions of the compass has been recorded in the ancient Chinese literature. This was also seen in a book that goes back to 1040-44 AD. The earliest concept of a compass was glimpsed in the use of a needle that was kept in a bowl of water.
Paper and Papermaking:
This is also one of the most famous inventions of Ancient China. Paper is also one of the Chinese inventions, which is something we can’t probably do without now. The process of papermaking was first developed in China. In the earlier years, during the Shang and the Zhou dynasty, any form of documentation was done with the help of bamboo. Recent findings showcase that paper was being used in China much before the invention by Cai Lun. Cai Lun is regarded to have invented the paper and also the entire process of papermaking, about 105 AD. Cai Lun is also considered to be the one who played a major role in the improvisation of the process. Some findings have also revealed paper was used in Ancient China to wrap objects that needed some kind of a protection.
Printing:
The method of printing and the invention of Woodblock printing are also considered to be an ancient Chinese invention. This ancient Chinese invention was seen before the first dated book in 868. Woodblock printing was first seen in China in 220. Thereon, it spread to other areas of the world. The method of printing saw higher advancements by the 11th century. The first example of the movable type method was invented in China, which was around 1040 AD. Clay types were used, but these were not suitable to be used for printing on a large scale. Bi Sheng was credited for having invented the ceramic movable type of method for printing. This movable type printing proved to be quite cumbersome at times but was useful when the number of books to be printed was on the higher side.
Gunpowder:
This is another famous invention of ancient China. The discovery of gunpowder has been credited to certain Chinese alchemists around 9th century. This was the result of many scientific experiments. There were various Chinese formulas that were used and these contained different proportions of nitrate. The first recorded reference of the gunpowder was found in a passage of Taosism text. This was dated to the mid 800s. The gunpowder was used not only for fireworks but instances were found in the Chinese military treatise as well.
According to the British scholar Joseph Needham, the compass, gunpowder, the process of papermaking and the printing process remain to be the four great inventions of ancient China. Apart from these, there were other famous Chinese inventions as well!
Chopsticks:
The Chinese can be considered to be experts when it comes to the usage of chopsticks. It is no surprise therefore, the chopstick first originated during the Shang dynasty in ancient China. Early findings of chopsticks at the Mediggo site in Israel reveal about the kind of trade that may have existed between the Middle East and Asia.
Bristle Toothbrush:
Oral hygiene was perhaps very important to the Chinese and thus we see yet another Chinese invention that proved to be important for people worldwide. Prior to the bristle toothbrush, one can cite references that showed other means of oral hygiene such as certain tree twigs or bird feathers, which were used to keep one’s teeth clean. The first idea of a toothbrush was first seen in China in the late 1400’s.
These famous inventions of ancient China will probably have you thinking about the importance of every insignificant thing in our lives! These famous inventions surely have proven to be a boon to us in many ways.
Chinese Inventions: Famous Inventions of Ancient China
The Compass:
The earliest version of the compass was invented in China in the year 1044. Mariners use the compass to find directions on Earth. Such a compass is used to calculate the latitude and the longitude as well. This famous Chinese invention has seen many advanced changes along the way. Basically, a compass is used to find the magnetic North Pole of the Earth. Generally, such a compass has either a needle or a magnetic bar that points towards the direction of the bar and such a needle or bar is placed either in floating liquid or upon a pivot. Today, the basic Chinese invention is modified and one can see many more advanced versions being used by professions across the globe. One of the earliest known mentions of the compass has been recorded in the ancient Chinese literature. This was also seen in a book that goes back to 1040-44 AD. The earliest concept of a compass was glimpsed in the use of a needle that was kept in a bowl of water.
Paper and Papermaking:
This is also one of the most famous inventions of Ancient China. Paper is also one of the Chinese inventions, which is something we can’t probably do without now. The process of papermaking was first developed in China. In the earlier years, during the Shang and the Zhou dynasty, any form of documentation was done with the help of bamboo. Recent findings showcase that paper was being used in China much before the invention by Cai Lun. Cai Lun is regarded to have invented the paper and also the entire process of papermaking, about 105 AD. Cai Lun is also considered to be the one who played a major role in the improvisation of the process. Some findings have also revealed paper was used in Ancient China to wrap objects that needed some kind of a protection.
Printing:
The method of printing and the invention of Woodblock printing are also considered to be an ancient Chinese invention. This ancient Chinese invention was seen before the first dated book in 868. Woodblock printing was first seen in China in 220. Thereon, it spread to other areas of the world. The method of printing saw higher advancements by the 11th century. The first example of the movable type method was invented in China, which was around 1040 AD. Clay types were used, but these were not suitable to be used for printing on a large scale. Bi Sheng was credited for having invented the ceramic movable type of method for printing. This movable type printing proved to be quite cumbersome at times but was useful when the number of books to be printed was on the higher side.
Gunpowder:
This is another famous invention of ancient China. The discovery of gunpowder has been credited to certain Chinese alchemists around 9th century. This was the result of many scientific experiments. There were various Chinese formulas that were used and these contained different proportions of nitrate. The first recorded reference of the gunpowder was found in a passage of Taosism text. This was dated to the mid 800s. The gunpowder was used not only for fireworks but instances were found in the Chinese military treatise as well.
According to the British scholar Joseph Needham, the compass, gunpowder, the process of papermaking and the printing process remain to be the four great inventions of ancient China. Apart from these, there were other famous Chinese inventions as well!
Chopsticks:
The Chinese can be considered to be experts when it comes to the usage of chopsticks. It is no surprise therefore, the chopstick first originated during the Shang dynasty in ancient China. Early findings of chopsticks at the Mediggo site in Israel reveal about the kind of trade that may have existed between the Middle East and Asia.
Bristle Toothbrush:
Oral hygiene was perhaps very important to the Chinese and thus we see yet another Chinese invention that proved to be important for people worldwide. Prior to the bristle toothbrush, one can cite references that showed other means of oral hygiene such as certain tree twigs or bird feathers, which were used to keep one’s teeth clean. The first idea of a toothbrush was first seen in China in the late 1400’s.
These famous inventions of ancient China will probably have you thinking about the importance of every insignificant thing in our lives! These famous inventions surely have proven to be a boon to us in many ways.
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