Did you know that papermaking, gunpowder, printing, and the compass, all profound inventions, came from ancient China during the 13th century? Thanks to Marco Polo’s expeditions, the four great inventions have spread throughout and created a huge impact on our world.
Papermaking
In ancient China, materials such as bamboo, wood, and silk were used as writing surfaces. However, these materials all have the disadvantage of being bulky and expensive. An eunuch called Cai Lun invented paper by mixing bamboo, mulberry tree bark, plant waste and rags with water, then pouring over a flat woven cloth to form paper. Paper soon became popular, because it was cheap and easy to produce in large quantities.
Gunpower
Alchemists in ancient China inadvertently invented gunpowder when they tried to acquire the elixir of immortality. Gunpowder is the mixture of sulphur, saltpetre, and charcoal, gunpowder, which has huge explosive power. Weapons such as cannons can be created from gunpowder, which brings advantages for the military.
Printing
Woodblock printing was already invented during the Song dynasty (around 600 A.D), but there were some obvious weaknesses. The blocks weren't easy to store, and it was very time consuming to engrave a model. Therefore, an improved printing technique was invented by tradesman Bi Sheng, who used small ceramic blocks and combined them together to print an entire page onto another piece of paper.
Compass
A forerunner material called “Si Nan” was used as the compass in ancient China. Si Nan was a spoon-like magnet that was put on a plate to detect the direction of the south. This material improved ships’ ability to navigate over long distances, and was then introduced into Europe.
Works Cited
cic.wzu.edu.cn. (2017). Four Great Inventions of Ancient China-Wenzhou University College Of International Education | Study In China. [online] Available at: https://cic.wzu.edu.cn/info/1016/1034.htm [Accessed 12 May 2024].
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