Ancient Chinese Inventions
– Binary code
– Genetic sequencing
– Abacus
– Sundial
– Kongming lantern
Four Great Inventions
– Compass
– Gunpowder
– Papermaking
– Printing
– Tang dynasty as a time of innovation
Exchange between Western and Chinese Discoveries
– Jesuit China missions introducing Western science and astronomy
– Chinese knowledge of technology brought back to Europe
– Qing dynasty as a period of exchange
– Early Western work in the history of science in China by Joseph Needham and Lu Gwei-djen
– Western technology as a major factor in modernizing China
Mo Di and the School of Names
– Warring States period and the invention of the crossbow
– Nascent schools of thought in China during this time
– Mo Di introducing concepts useful to rulers
– School of Names exploring logic
– Han dynasty’s awareness of the need for law
Contributions in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Astronomy
– Traditional Chinese medicine including acupuncture and herbal medicine
– Shadow clocks and abacus for recording observations
– First recorded solar eclipse in 2137 BC
– First recording of any planetary grouping in 500 BC
– The Book of Silk as the first definitive atlas of cometsSources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_science_and_technology_in_China
