Chinese InventionsBy: Francesca Nemati & Georgia Brenner

Introduction The Chinese invented many helpful things. In

this presentation we will be talking about some of these helpful inventions, Including gunpowder, paper, kites, fireworks, the compass, paddleboat, papermaking, printing, paper money and much more. People in America use many of these Inventions. Back then, while all of this was being invented Europeans never had seen inventions that are as great as Chinese inventions. The Chinese inventions are very helpful to this day.

Paper Paper is one of the 4 greatest inventions made

by the Chinese. Bamboo paper was produced in the tang dynasty. Xuan paper is soft, smooth, white, absorbent, and very durable. Before this invention, bones, tortoise shells, and bamboo slips were all used as writing surfaces. In 105 A.D Cai Lun (Tasi Lun) invented paper from worn fishnet, bark, and cloth. These raw materials could be easily found at a much lower cost, so large quantities of paper could be produced.

GunpowderIn Chinese, gunpowder is called “Hou Yao”, meaning flaming medicine. Unlike the birth of paper and printing, the birth of gunpowder was accidental. Gunpowder was suppose to be a potion for unlimited life, but it ended up being a potion for death, that is still used today. It was a mixture of sulphur, saltpeter, and charcoal. At first, gunpowder was just used for fireworks. The first big weapon for war facethat evolved from gunpowder was a canon. The second invention that gunpowder took part in was a gun. Then that evolved into machine gun.

FireworksSome sources say that the discovery of fireworks occurred about 2,000 years ago, and others say it happened somewhere in the 9Th century. Some say that fireworks were discovered by accident by a Chinese cook who happened to mix charcoal, saltpeter, and sulphur. Fireworks are thought to have the power to fight off evil spirits. Fireworks usually come in the colors red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, and silver.

A Ground Firework is not in the air, such as sprinklers and fountains. Ground fireworks come in various shapes including simple rotating circles, stars, and 3D globes.

fireworks Ground fireworks

RocketThe first Chinese rocket-like weapon was called “fire arrow”. The fire arrow consisted of a normal arrow with a tube of gunpowder lit with a fuse, strapped to the arrow. The Chinese eventually made the bamboo fire arrow bigger and shot them individually. These were able to go much farther and had bigger explosions

On the left, the man is shooting a rocket. On the top, are Chinese fire arrows.

SilkThe Chinese are still famous to this day for the quality and beauty of their silk

fabrics. Silk was first made in china about 4,000 years ago.

The Chinese made silk by using this process:

1. The silkworm moths lay their eggs.

2. After 10 days the eggs hatch.

3. When the silkworm is about 1 month old, it shoots out a stream of liquid. The cocoon hardens into silk that can be a ½ a mile long!

4. Silk workers drop the cocoons into boiling water to kill the pupa.

5. The cocoons are unwound by hand.

6. Three or more strands of silk are twisted together to make 1long thread.

7. The threads are woven into silk cloth and dyed bright colors.

It takes 40,000 silkworms to make just 12 pounds of silk!

CompassPeople had to rely on landmarks, constellations, or other

visual objects steer them in the right direction. The compass was invented in china during the Han dynasties between the 2Nd century BC and the 1ST century AD. The first compass was made of a bronze plate and a spoon-shaped pointer made of magnetic limestone.

The simple parts of a compass are:

A needle, a thin piece of magnetic medal.

The dial, a round cord printed with direction.

The housing holds the other parts in place. 

KiteKites may date back as far as 3,000

years when they were wade from bamboo and silk in china. Large kites were used to carry warriors armed with bow and arrows that would fire down on the enemy. One legion suggests, a Chinese farmer tied a string to his hat to keep it from blowing away, the first kite was born.

These are Chinese kites. The one on top has Chinese writing on it. The one on the bottom shows a man flying a kite.