China’s 10 Most Useful Inventions or Contributions
Assignment 2: Project Paper
Shirley Spann
Dr Jane El-Yacoubi
HUM 111
November 21, 2011
Ancient China: Vital Contributions
China’s 10 Most Useful Inventions or Contributions China’s long history has been filled with useful inventions and discoveries, which have essentially improved the quality of life in China and throughout the world. Certainly, one would list gunpowder and fireworks as two of the greatest inventions from China. The invention of gunpowder in weapons provided countries with the opportunity to defend them and their country against the enemy. Imagine no fireworks on the Fourth of July to celebrate our great nation heritage however with the invention of gunpowder Americans’ Fourth of July tradition is celebrated every year. In addition, the Chinese during the Qin Dynasty between approximately 221 and 207 B.C.E. contributed a standardized monetary system and a standardized system of measurement, both of which are vital to the flow of trade. Some of China’s contributions and technological development during the Han Dynasty between 202 B.C.E. and 220 A.D., were papermaking, cast iron technology used in plows, seed drills and other equipment for agriculture and manufacturing, and ship’s rudder (Listverse, 2009). Some analysts, including Needham, Robinson, and Huang (2004), consider China’s greatest developments included printing, the development of silk, compass, gunpowder and the creation of multi-stage rockets. Each of these contributions placed China in the most important position in science history (Country Facts & Information, 2004). During the Sui Dynasty between 581 – 618 A. D., the Chinese discovered two more invention – toilet paper and porcelain. The toilet paper was used for hygiene and porcelain used to form fine beautiful glass (Listverse, 2009). According to Deng (2010), one should look at China’s contributions to society as wonderful and useful inventions instead of material inventions. Deng (2010,
Shirley Spann
Dr Jane El-Yacoubi
HUM 111
November 21, 2011
Ancient China: Vital Contributions
China’s 10 Most Useful Inventions or Contributions China’s long history has been filled with useful inventions and discoveries, which have essentially improved the quality of life in China and throughout the world. Certainly, one would list gunpowder and fireworks as two of the greatest inventions from China. The invention of gunpowder in weapons provided countries with the opportunity to defend them and their country against the enemy. Imagine no fireworks on the Fourth of July to celebrate our great nation heritage however with the invention of gunpowder Americans’ Fourth of July tradition is celebrated every year. In addition, the Chinese during the Qin Dynasty between approximately 221 and 207 B.C.E. contributed a standardized monetary system and a standardized system of measurement, both of which are vital to the flow of trade. Some of China’s contributions and technological development during the Han Dynasty between 202 B.C.E. and 220 A.D., were papermaking, cast iron technology used in plows, seed drills and other equipment for agriculture and manufacturing, and ship’s rudder (Listverse, 2009). Some analysts, including Needham, Robinson, and Huang (2004), consider China’s greatest developments included printing, the development of silk, compass, gunpowder and the creation of multi-stage rockets. Each of these contributions placed China in the most important position in science history (Country Facts & Information, 2004). During the Sui Dynasty between 581 – 618 A. D., the Chinese discovered two more invention – toilet paper and porcelain. The toilet paper was used for hygiene and porcelain used to form fine beautiful glass (Listverse, 2009). According to Deng (2010), one should look at China’s contributions to society as wonderful and useful inventions instead of material inventions. Deng (2010,
References: Country Facts & Information. (2004). Ancient Chinese Technology. Retrieved from http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/articles/china/ancient-china-technology/2378 Deng, Y. (2010). Ancient Chinese Inventions. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. Ebery, P.B. (2010). The Cambridge Illustrated History of China. (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. Listverse. (2009). 10 Great Ancient Chinese Inventions. Retrieved from http://listverse.com/2009/04/18/10-great-ancient-chinese-inventions/ Minnesota-China connection. (2011). Great Chinese Inventions. Retrieved from http://www.minnesota-china.com/Education/emSciTech/inventions.htm Needham, J., Robinson, K. G., & Huang, J. Y. (2004). Science and Civilization in China. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.