SUBTOPIC=Innovations of Ancient Chinese Scientists and Engineers
– Abacus, sundial, and Kongming lantern were early inventions
– Four Great Inventions: compass, gunpowder, papermaking, and printing
– Tang dynasty was a period of significant innovation
– Exchange of knowledge between Western and Chinese discoveries
– Jesuit China missions introduced Western science and astronomy
SUBTOPIC=Mo Di and the School of Names
– Warring States period marked by crossbow invention
– Mo Di introduced concepts like defensive fortification
– School of Names explored logic
– Han dynasty influenced by Taoist philosophy
– Contributions in Traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, and herbal medicine
SUBTOPIC=Contributions of the Han Dynasty
– Zhang Heng invented water-powered rotating armillary sphere
– Zhang Heng catalogued stars and constellations
– Zhang Heng invented seismological detector
– Ma Jun improved silk loom design
– Ma Jun designed mechanical chain pumps for irrigation
SUBTOPIC=Advancements in Astronomy and Medicine
– Shadow clocks and abacus used for observations
– First recorded solar eclipse in 2137 BC
– First recording of planetary grouping in 500 BC
– Book of Silk was the first atlas of comets
– Acupuncture practices traced back to 1st millennium BC
SUBTOPIC=Architectural and Military Technological Achievements
– Great Wall of China built under Qin Shi Huang
– Chinese architecture remained consistent until the 19th century
– Qin dynasty developed the crossbow
– Crossbows found among soldiers of the Terracotta Army
– Qin Shi Huang’s tomb showcases military advancements
Ancient Chinese scientists and engineers made significant scientific innovations, findings and technological advances across various scientific disciplines including the natural sciences, engineering, medicine, military technology, mathematics, geology and astronomy.
Among the earliest inventions were the abacus, the sundial, and the Kongming lantern.[citation needed] The Four Great Inventions,the compass, gunpowder, papermaking, and printing – were among the most important technological advances, only known to Europe by the end of the Middle Ages 1000 years later. The Tang dynasty (AD 618–906) in particular was a time of great innovation.[citation needed] A good deal of exchange occurred between Western and Chinese discoveries up to the Qing dynasty.
The Jesuit China missions of the 16th and 17th centuries introduced Western science and astronomy, while undergoing its own scientific revolution, at the same time bringing Chinese knowledge of technology back to Europe. In the 19th and 20th centuries the introduction of Western technology was a major factor in the modernization of China. Much of the early Western work in the history of science in China was done by Joseph Needham and his Chinese partner, Lu Gwei-djen.
