1. Ancient Chinese Inventions

2. Compass
The compass made it possible to navigate ocean travel more accurately than before; especially for Europeans
Early Chinese compasses were made of a rock called lodestone, which points north-south when floating
The Chinese eventually replaced lodestone with steel needles improving the accuracy of directions

3. What might happen to ships in the ocean who do not have a compass?

4. Canal Lock
The canal lock allowed boats to pass from one level of water to another.
The canal lock could raise boats 100 feet above sea level
Canal locks are still used on modern canals like the Panama Canal and the Three Gorges Dam project in China

5. Examine the picture below. How do locks work?

6. Paper
The Chinese invented papermaking in mass quantities to make printing possible around 100 A.D.
By the 900’s, paper had replaced papyrus across the Islamic Empire and from there it spread to Europe.

7. What might people have used to record information before the invention of paper?

8. Woodblock printing
The printer carved out the wood around the characters, leaving the characters raised on the wood, the ink was then applied to the wood and the inked wood to the paper
Enabled Chinese to create paper money and playing cards
Movable type
Movable type uses a separate block for each character
Until recently, all newspapers, books, and magazines were printed using movable type

9. What are some advantages to using woodblock printing and moveable type over hand copying? Any disadvantages?

10. Gun Powder
The discovery of gunpowder made possible the development of powerful weapons
Gunpowder may have been discovered by accident by alchemists looking for a way to extend life using saltpeter
Chinese made flamethrowers and fireworks
Chinese used catapults to hurl exploding bombs
Gunpowder changed the way wars were conducted around the world, especially Europe

11. Would wars have been deadlier before or after the invention of gunpowder-why?

12. Porcelain
Thin, beautiful pottery called Porcelain was created by the Chinese.
Usually white or black in color.
The artwork was exotic, colorful and durable- it will last for generations with care.
Porcelain eventually became one of China’s main exports and was in high demand in Europe.
Jingdezhen, China became the capital of Porcelain production.

13. What do you think people made out of porcelain?

14. Tea
According to legend, the Emperor Shen Nung discovered tea when some leaves from a tree fell in his hot water beverage creating a “tea”
It became so popular in China, that Lu Yu wrote the first book entirely about tea around the 8th century AD.
Eventually tea spread to Japan, and then to Europe around 1600 AD.

15. Why might tea have become so popular in Europe?

16. Chinese Inventions
Complete notes and draw a quick sketch for each Chinese Invention, then open your suitcase to see what special task you and your group must complete in order to complete your journey.
Chinese Invention _______________________
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Chinese Invention _______________________
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Chinese Invention ______________________
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Chinese Invention ______________________
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Chinese Invention _______________________
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Chinese Invention ______________________
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Chinese Invention _____________________
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17. Exit Card: Letter Activity
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Dear Friends,
Thank you for allowing me to introduce you to the important inventions of my beloved country, China. I hope you enjoyed your journey. Please write to me and let me know which of my countries inventions has had the greatest impact on your life. Why? Also tell me about the inventions in your country that are similar to the ones I told you about today. For example, does your country have any sort of invention like a compass?

18. Experiment with movable type!
Make your own compass!
1) Pour about 1 cup of water in a bowl.
2) Place a leaf in the water.
3) Rub an opened paper clip on a magnet in the same direction about 50 times and then set it on the leaf.
4) Notice what happens. The leaf should slowly move to point North-South. (Note- the sun rises in the East and sets in the West, using this information determine which end of your paperclip is pointing North.)
5) Share your findings with your teacher!
Experiment with movable type!
1) Find a small box (cut down to ½ inch in height) and a handful of craft stamps.
2) Place the craft stamps in the box design side up. (the stamps should fit in the box tightly)
3) Using a cloth wet with stamp ink, dab the stamps.
4) Hold the box over a piece of paper and press down.
5) Lift up the box, your paper should bear the design you created using your “moveable type”.
6) Share your design with your teacher!
Prepare Chinese Tea!
1) Obtain a teapot, tea cups, tea leaves, tongs, and hot water.
2) Pour hot water into the tea pot. Let sit for 2-3 minutes to heat up the teapot. Discard water.
3) Using the tongs, place (about 1 teaspoon worth) tea leaves into the tea pot.
4) Pour more hot water (about 6 ounces) into the teapot.
5) Let the tea steep (set) for about 3-5 minutes.
6) Pour a small amount of tea into each tea cup.
7) Traditionally, Chinese tea should be consumed in 3 sips- with the 2nd sip being the biggest.
8) Share your finished tea with your teacher.
Teachers- Cut out each suitcase strip, then fold over and staple/tape so students can’t read the contents of their suitcase

19. More World History Resources!

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