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850 BCE
The Development of Gunpowder
Chinese alchemists experimented with a mineral called saltpeter. They may have believed that saltpeter could extend life. Perhaps by accident, they discovered that it could be used to make an explosive powder. The Chinese who first made gunpowder were alchemists, people who practiced a blend of science and magic known as alchemy. -
300
Paper
The Chinese invented the art of papermaking by the second century C.E. The earliest Chinese paper was probably made from hemp and then the bark of the mulberry tree. Later, the Chinese used rags. -
600
Paddle Boat
the Chinese adapted this idea by arranging a series of paddles in a wheel. People walked on a treadmill to turn the paddlewheel, which in turn moved through the water, moving the boat forward. -
700
Printing
Chinese invented a technique called woodblock
printing. The printer first drew characters (symbols) on
paper. He then glued the paper to a wooden block. When the glue was dry, the printer carved out the wood around
the characters, leaving the characters raised on the wood. -
900
Tea
Tea farmers grow small tea trees or
shrubs on high ground—usually above 4,000 feet. When the trees are ready for harvest, only new-growth leaves are picked—by hand. Then the tree is cut back so it will grow new leaves for the next harvest, and the cycle repeats. -
900
Paper Money
Before that time, coins were the only
a form of currency. Like game cards, paper money was printed with wood blocks. By 1107, Song printers were using multiple wood blocks to print each bill. A single bill would have many colors. Paper money is the most common form of currency in the world today. -
900
The Mechanical Clock
The new clock was more accurate than earlier timekeeping devices, such as sundials and hourglasses. The Chinese devised a wheel that made one complete turn every 24 hours. Dripping water made the wheel turn. Every quarter hour, drums would beat; and every hour, a bell would chime. The sounds let people know what time it was. -
1000
Game cards
Printers used woodblock printing to make the cards from thick paper. Famous artists drew the designs that appeared on the backs of the cards. Europeans were introduced to card games by the late 1300s. Today, card games are played throughout the world -
1200
Rocket Technology
Rockets were powered by a black powder made of saltpeter, charcoal, and sulfur. Rocket technology was developed in China during the Song dynasty. At first, rockets were used only in fireworks. Later, the Chinese used them as weapons. They even developed a two-stage rocket for their armies. The first stage propelled the rocket through the air. The second stage dropped arrows down on the enemy. -
1200
Flamethrower
The flamethrower. Earlyflamethrowers contained gunpowder mixed with oil. The Chinese used them to spray enemies with a stream of fire.
