ANCIENT CHINESE INVENTIONS

THE COMPASS The Ancient Chinese compass was made in 221-206 BC during the Qin dynasty. The Chinese compass was originally used for the construction of their fortune telling boards. Later, the Chinese used it to point out real directions. The Chinese compass was put on a square slab with markings of the cardinal points and the constellations. The pointing needle was spoon shaped and was pointing always to the south.

The Ancient Compass

Fire Crackers Fire crackers are called Phow Chook in Chinese, meaning bamboo explosions. In Ancient China bamboo stems were burnt to create small explosions in order to drive away evil spirits. Gunpowder was invented in China during the Tang Dynasty (618-905 A.D.), and early records of firecrackers describe them as gunpowder or explosive chemicals wrapped in paper and lighted by a paper fuse.

The Origin of the Kite Kites were invented in China, but the exact date isn’t clear. It is likely that the inspiration for kites came from ancient Chinese watching the effect of the wind on leaves, bamboo hats and sails. It is believed that the very first kite was made by Mo Di dating back 2300 years. Early kites were used for the military. The kites were large in size and were powerful enough to carry men up in the air to observe enemy movement, and also to scatter fliers. During the Qing Dynasty it was believed that flying a kite then letting it go might send bad luck and illness away, but bringing bad luck to the person who found the stray kite. The interest in kites spread throughout Asia and remain to this day not only to children but also to serious adult enthusiast . In China the kite is know as Fengzheng.

Chinese Kites

Paper The invention of paper was reported to the Chinese Emperor. Early Chinese paper making appears to have been made by from a suspension of hemp waste. Hemp is a material made from a tall plant with stems that give a tough fiber. The hemp waste was put in water, washed, soaked, and beaten to a pulp with a wooden mallet. Eventually, tree bark, bamboo, and other plant fibers were used in addition to hemp. Improvements in papermaking also included the use of starch. From China, papermaking moved to Korea.

Wheelbarrow     The Chinese invented the wheel barrow to carry rice from the rice fields to their homes.  They were also used for carrying heavy loads that a regular-sized human could not carry.    Farmers used the wheelbarrow to take a load of produce to the market place. Builders used the wheelbarrow to carry heavy building supplies. The wheel barrow was invented in 118B.C. , and the Chinese wheelbarrow had a single wheel in the middle of the wheelbarrow. Many people believed that the Europeans invented the wheel barrow, but the Chinese really invented the wheel barrow.  The wheel barrow was invented during the Han Dynasty .  It was originally wooden so they nick named it "The Wooden Ox".

Other Exciting Inventions Blast furnace Ice cream Row crops Seismograph Gun powder Parachute Rubber Umbrella

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