Chinese Inventions Essay

China is unlike any other country; winning a trip to China would be a dream come true! China is known for several years of their creative and useful inventions. Along with the many useful inventions, China was known for the first recorded observation of comets and solar eclipses. China has been creative for with their contributions to the world. China created useful inventions such as toilet paper, bristle tooth brushes, paper, printing, gun powder, and the compass. (China’s Science and Technology, 1999) Although, we as individuals cannot live without some of Chinese items, before the Chinese inventions we had no choose. Before the invention of paper; bamboo silk, papyrus and parchment were used for writing. In 105 BC, Chinese invented what we referre today as paper from bamboo, bark, hemp, and rags. Shortly after in 206 B.C- A.D. 220, paper and ink were invented, the first form of â€Å"printing on paper† came from rubbings. This process consisted of using a brush in o rder to smooth pieces of paper, the paper was then carefully coaxed into the depressions, and left to dry with a fan. Paper was also used to make things like raincoats, windows and umbrellas. In which brings us to our next most useful invention. (China’s Science and Technology, 1999) The fan was also invented by Chinese; the fan was mostly carried by women and solders. They were made out of bamboo and silk. The fan consisted of bamboo spines sticking out in almost a half-circle with silk wrapped around it. The silk that was used on the fan was also one of the creative inventions of China. Silk was discovered as one of the best materials for clothing. The Emperor’s wore only white silk robes to signify richness. Shortly after, silk was introduced to the general public and was used as clothing, decorations, musical instruments and even fishing lines. (China’s Science and Technology, 1999) The compass was made from a wooden circle and a magnetic spoon on top. It was used as a mechanism when houses were built to check for perfect harmony with nature. When invented, the compass was intended for religious purposes only. (China’s Science and Technology, 1999) Health was one of the most important things to the Chinese culture. The Chinese had many remedies that included natural herbs and acupuncture. Herbal remedies were not the only remedies used to heal the sick in China; doctors also used organs and parts from animals. Organs such as the sheep’s eye were given to patients to eat in order to get cured from the sickness. In some cases, the Chinese used Elixir, which was a potion that they believed would increase your years of living. Along with herbal medicine, within the 1st Millennium BC; Chinese invented a therapeutic method called Acupuncture, this was the most commonly used medical treatment. The intent of this technique was to restore health and well-being. It involved insertions of stainless steel needles into the â€Å"acupuncture points† of the body. (Acupuncture, 2010) China was also known for their Military inventions, They were responsible for the inventions of the crossbow, poison gas, tear gas, fire lance and rockets. Among the great Military inventions gunpowder was the most usefull. Gunpowder was accidentally invented, the intent was to make the elixir of life and to make the emperor immortal. (China’s Science and Technology, 1999) Toilet paper is something that is taken for granted. It was mentioned around 589 A.D. In Korea. Toilet paper was introduced in China in 1391, before toilet paper was invented Romans used saltwater-soaked sponge on a stick, in public restrooms. English used pages from books, Americans used newspaper and pages from books. After years and years, toilet paper has been mastered to what it is now. We cannot live without that clean feeling. (China’s Science and Technology, 1999) References China’s Science and Technology. (1999, 7 30). Retrieved 2 21, 2012, from Crystalinks: http://www.crystalinks.com/chinascience.html Acupuncture. (2010, 2 7). Retrieved 2 21, 2013, from Crystalinks: http://www.crystalinks.com/acupuncture.html