Discover the Chamber
Day 2
Day 1
Escape the Chamber
You and your team of young historians are exploring the ruins of an ancient Chinese workshop—a place rumored to have belonged to one of the emperor’s greatest inventors during the Tang and Song Dynasties.Dust fills the air as you push open a heavy wooden door. Inside, you find a dark study, lit only by a thin beam of sunlight filtering through a cracked window. In the center of the room sits a large wooden desk, cluttered with scrolls, tools, strange papers, porcelain cups, and bits of metalwork. At the far end of the desk are five ink wells, each carved with mysterious Chinese characters. A faded note on the book beside them reads:
“Only those who understand the wisdom of invention may unlock the secrets of progress.”
Objective
Your mission is to decipher the meaning of the five ink wells.Each ink well represents a realm of discovery; the keys to China’s greatest achievements. To escape the chamber and uncover the mystery of innovation, you must explore the clues scattered across the desk and reveal how each invention shaped the modern world.
Background
Between about 200 and 1400 C.E., the Chinese made many discoveries and inventions. Many of these advances occurred during the Tang and Song dynasties, and the influence of these advancements is still evident today. Over the centuries, Chinese scholars and scientists studied engineering, mathematics, science, and medicine, among other subjects. Their studies led to scientific and technological progress that was often far ahead of advances in the rest of the world. Each ink well will illuminate certain items on the desk with key details for you to remember. Select the first to begin.
Exploration
Check my understandings
Exploration
Check my understandings
Well done. Can you do another?
Exploration
Check my understandings
Well done. Can you do another?
One final question for you!
The red ink glows faintly as you finish the last question. The characters swirl into alignment, revealing the path ahead. You’ve unlocked the secrets of Chinese exploration and travel! Your understanding of compasses, ships, and bridges has guided you true, just as it did for explorers long ago. Move on to the next ink well to uncover more ancient innovations!
Industry
Check my understandings
Industry
Check my understandings
Well done. Can you do another?
Industry
Check my understandings
Well done. Can you do another?
One final question for you!
The blue ink swirls and shines as your answers are confirmed. You’ve unlocked the secrets of Chinese industry! From paper to porcelain, tea to steel, your understanding of innovation now flows like the rivers of China itself. Move on to the next ink well to uncover more ancient innovations!
The blue ink swirls and shines as your answers are confirmed. You’ve unlocked the secrets of Chinese industry! From paper to porcelain, tea to steel, your understanding of innovation now flows like the rivers of China itself. Move on to the next ink well to uncover more ancient innovations!
Military
Check my understandings
Military
Check my understandings
Well done. Can you do another?
Military
Check my understandings
Well done. Can you do another?
One final question for you!
The white ink pulses like a spark as your answers are confirmed. You’ve unlocked the secrets of Chinese military innovation! From gunpowder to rockets, your understanding of these powerful inventions illuminates the path forward. Move on to the next ink well to uncover more ancient innovations!
Everyday Improvements
Check my understandings
Everyday Improvements
Check my understandings
Well done. Can you do another?
Everyday Improvements
Check my understandings
Well done. Can you do another?
One final question for you!
The pink ink swirls and glows as you complete the last question. You’ve unlocked the secrets of Chinese ingenuity in everyday life and timekeeping! Your understanding of cards, paper money, and clocks has brought you closer to mastering the mysteries of the ink wells. Move on to the next ink well to uncover more ancient innovations!
Health
Check my understandings
Health
Check my understandings
Well done. Can you do another?
Health
Check my understandings
Well done. Can you do another?
One final question for you!
The green ink glows warmly as you finish your final task. You’ve unlocked the wisdom of ancient Chinese medicine and innovation! From disinfectants to inoculations, your understanding of how these ideas evolved into modern science is now complete. Suddenly, the pages of the book beside the ink wells begins to glow! Click the ancient tome to reveal your final message and complete your escape.
Congratulations, you made it out!
We'll randomly generate a word code below: Use ______________ as the code and submit your Google Form
dragonfly
Wrong answer
Go back and find the highlighted items on the desk to learn more before trying again.
Try again
Early flamethrowers contained gunpowder mixed with oil and were used to spray enemies with a stream of fire. Between the 11th and 14th centuries (1000-1400 ACE), the Chinese created many other weapons using gunpowder.
Artillery shells, for example, exploded after being hurled at enemies by a war machine called a catapult. The sound of the exploding shells confused the enemy and terrified their horses. Small bombs, or grenades, were lit and thrown by hand.
In the 13th century (1200-1300), the Chinese used large bombs that were as explosive as modern bombs. Around the same time, they developed weapons much like today's rifles and cannons. By the early 1300s, travelers had brought the knowledge of gunpowder to Europe. Gunpowder forever changed the way people waged war and, eventually, weapons like crossbows, swords, and spears gave way to guns and cannons.
Playing Cards & Paper Money
Game cards were invented in China in about the 9th century. Printers used woodblock printing to make the cards from thick paper, and famous artists drew the designs that appeared on the backs of the cards. Europeans were introduced to card games by the late 1300s. Today, card games are played throughout the world. The Chinese invented paper money in the late 8th or early 9th century (700-900 CE). Before that time, coins were the only form of currency. Like game cards, paper money was printed with wood blocks. By 1107, Song printers were using multiple wood blocks to print each bill. A single bill would include many colors. Paper money is the most common form of currency in the world today.
The Compass
The Chinese developed the first compass as early as the 3rd century (200-299) BCE. They were originally used for divination and constructing buildings in a north and south alignment. Using lodestone on wood, floating in a bowl of water, the stone will turn until it points in a north-south direction. The stone was eventually replaced with a steel needle rubbed against a lodestone as it was more accurate, as well as being smaller and easier to carry. This made long voyages at sea more navigable because sailors could figure out directions without a landmark or a point in the sky to steer by meaning they could travel further away from the coast and even when clouds obscured the night sky.
Disease Prevention
Before the 1st century C.E., the Chinese developed a way of fighting infectious diseases, which can spread from person to person. When an individual died from an infectious disease, the Chinese burned a chemical that released a poisonous smoke that they believed would destroy whatever was causing the illness. Today, it is well known that many diseases are caused by germs and that people can prevent the spread of disease by using disinfectants—substances like chlorine bleach that kill germs. The poisonous smoke used by the Chinese was a type of disinfectant. During the Song dynasty, the Chinese discovered another way to prevent the spread of disease. A Chinese monk recommended steaming the clothes of sick people because he believed that the steam would prevent others from becoming ill. The idea was sound, because hot temperatures kill many germs. Today, people boil medical instruments to kill disease-causing germs. Sometime around the 10th century, the Chinese discovered how to inoculate people against smallpox, a dreaded infectious disease. Inoculation is a way of stimulating a person's immune system to fight a particular disease. It works by exposing the person to a disease-carrying substance.
To inoculate people against smallpox, Chinese physicians took a small part of a scab from an infected person, crushed it into a powder, and then inserted the powder into the nose of the person they wanted to immunize, or protect against the disease. The Chinese knew that they had to be careful when exposing people to smallpox. Sometimes the treatment itself caused people to become ill. To be as cautious as possible, the Chinese took the infectious material from people who had already been inoculated. Chinese knowledge about smallpox inoculation eventually led to the development of drugs called vaccines. Modern medical professionals have developed vaccines for many diseases, including smallpox and the flu.
Steel
The Chinese first made steel, a very useful metal, before 200 B.C.E. Steel is made from iron, but it is less brittle than iron and easier to bend into different shapes. The earliest Chinese steel was made from cast iron. The Chinese were the first to learn how to make cast iron by melting and molding iron ore. Later they learned that blowing air into molten, or melted, cast iron causes a chemical reaction that creates steel, which is a great deal stronger than iron. These developments eventually made it possible to produce large amounts of steel cheaply. In the 1800s, the mass production of steel was crucial to the Industrial Revolution in the West. Today, iron and steel making are among China's most important industries.
Rocket technology was developed in China during the Song dynasty. Rockets were powered by a black powder made of saltpeter, charcoal, and sulfur. Initially, rockets were used only in fireworks, but later the Chinese used them as weapons and even developed a two-stage rocket for their armies. The first stage propelled the rocket through the air, and the second stage dropped arrows down on the enemy.
By 1300, rockets had spread through much of Asia and into Europe. The rockets used to explore space today are based on principles discovered by the Chinese.
Disease Prevention
Before the 1st century C.E., the Chinese developed a way of fighting infectious diseases, which can spread from person to person. When an individual died from an infectious disease, the Chinese burned a chemical that released a poisonous smoke that they believed would destroy whatever was causing the illness. Today, it is well known that many diseases are caused by germs and that people can prevent the spread of disease by using disinfectants—substances like chlorine bleach that kill germs. The poisonous smoke used by the Chinese was a type of disinfectant. During the Song dynasty, the Chinese discovered another way to prevent the spread of disease. A Chinese monk recommended steaming the clothes of sick people because he believed that the steam would prevent others from becoming ill. The idea was sound, because hot temperatures kill many germs. Today, people boil medical instruments to kill disease-causing germs. Sometime around the 10th century, the Chinese discovered how to inoculate people against smallpox, a dreaded infectious disease. Inoculation is a way of stimulating a person's immune system to fight a particular disease. It works by exposing the person to a disease-carrying substance.
To inoculate people against smallpox, Chinese physicians took a small part of a scab from an infected person, crushed it into a powder, and then inserted the powder into the nose of the person they wanted to immunize, or protect against the disease. The Chinese knew that they had to be careful when exposing people to smallpox. Sometimes the treatment itself caused people to become ill. To be as cautious as possible, the Chinese took the infectious material from people who had already been inoculated. Chinese knowledge about smallpox inoculation eventually led to the development of drugs called vaccines. Modern medical professionals have developed vaccines for many diseases, including smallpox and the flu.
Playing Cards & Paper Money
Game cards were invented in China in about the 9th century. Printers used woodblock printing to make the cards from thick paper, and famous artists drew the designs that appeared on the backs of the cards. Europeans were introduced to card games by the late 1300s. Today, card games are played throughout the world. The Chinese invented paper money in the late 8th or early 9th century (700-900 CE). Before that time, coins were the only form of currency. Like game cards, paper money was printed with wood blocks. By 1107, Song printers were using multiple wood blocks to print each bill. A single bill would include many colors. Paper money is the most common form of currency in the world today.
Early flamethrowers contained gunpowder mixed with oil and were used to spray enemies with a stream of fire. Between the 11th and 14th centuries (1000-1400 ACE), the Chinese created many other weapons using gunpowder.
Artillery shells, for example, exploded after being hurled at enemies by a war machine called a catapult. The sound of the exploding shells confused the enemy and terrified their horses. Small bombs, or grenades, were lit and thrown by hand.
In the 13th century (1200-1300), the Chinese used large bombs that were as explosive as modern bombs. Around the same time, they developed weapons much like today's rifles and cannons. By the early 1300s, travelers had brought the knowledge of gunpowder to Europe. Gunpowder forever changed the way people waged war and, eventually, weapons like crossbows, swords, and spears gave way to guns and cannons.
Mechanical Clocks
The Chinese developed the first mechanical clock in about the 8th century (700-800 CE). The new clock was more accurate than earlier timekeeping devices, such as sundials and hourglasses. The Chinese devised a wheel that made one complete turn every 24 hours. Dripping water made the wheel turn. Every quarter hour, drums would beat; and every hour, a bell would chime. The sounds let people know what time it was. The Chinese improved the mechanical clock in 1092, during the Song dynasty. Although the new clock worked on the same principles as the earlier one, it was much more complex and accurate. Europeans first developed mechanical clocks in the late 1200s. As with Chinese clocks, a bell rang to indicate the hour. Later, dials and hands were added. Modern-day mechanical clocks are based on the same fundamental principles as early Chinese clocks.
Travel along and across rivers
The Chinese made sea travel safer by improving boat construction. By the 2nd century C.E., they started building ships with separate, watertight compartments. Builders divided the ships into sections and sealed each section with caulk, a sealant that repels water. If there were a leak, it would be isolated, and the other compartments would not fill with water, keeping the ship afloat. Modern shipbuilders still use this technique. Within China, people often traveled by boat on rivers or across lakes. An innovation of a vessel called a paddlewheel boat made this type of travel much faster.In the 5th century, the Chinese adapted this idea by arranging a series of paddles in a wheel. People walked on a treadmill to turn the paddlewheel, which in turn moved through the water, moving the boat forward.The people-powered paddlewheel boats allowed the Chinese to travel much faster on rivers and lakes, and were also much easier to maneuver than other types of watercraft. People still use this type of boat for recreational activities.
The Chinese also found ways to improve bridges. For example, in 618 C.E., a Chinese engineer completed a new type of arched bridge. In Europe, Roman-designed bridges rested on arches that were halfcircles. The new Chinese bridge used arches that were a smaller part, or segment, of a circle, making the bridges broader and flatter than semicircular arches could. Called a segmental arch bridge, the new type of bridge required less material to build and was stronger, as well.
Mechanical Clocks
The Chinese developed the first mechanical clock in about the 8th century (700-800 CE). The new clock was more accurate than earlier timekeeping devices, such as sundials and hourglasses. The Chinese devised a wheel that made one complete turn every 24 hours. Dripping water made the wheel turn. Every quarter hour, drums would beat; and every hour, a bell would chime. The sounds let people know what time it was. The Chinese improved the mechanical clock in 1092, during the Song dynasty. Although the new clock worked on the same principles as the earlier one, it was much more complex and accurate. Europeans first developed mechanical clocks in the late 1200s. As with Chinese clocks, a bell rang to indicate the hour. Later, dials and hands were added. Modern-day mechanical clocks are based on the same fundamental principles as early Chinese clocks.
Rocket technology was developed in China during the Song dynasty. Rockets were powered by a black powder made of saltpeter, charcoal, and sulfur. Initially, rockets were used only in fireworks, but later the Chinese used them as weapons and even developed a two-stage rocket for their armies. The first stage propelled the rocket through the air, and the second stage dropped arrows down on the enemy.
By 1300, rockets had spread through much of Asia and into Europe. The rockets used to explore space today are based on principles discovered by the Chinese.
Gunpowder
The Chinese who first made gunpowder were alchemists, people who practiced a blend of science and magic known as alchemy. Alchemists experimented with mixtures of natural ingredients in an attempt to locate a substance that might allow people to become immortal. They also searched for a way to make gold out of cheaper metals. Chinese alchemists experimented with a mineral called saltpeter, which they may have believed could extend life. Perhaps by accident, they discovered that it could be used to make an explosive powder. In 850 C.E., during the Tang dynasty, alchemists recorded a formula for gunpowder but warned others to avoid it because it was extremely dangerous.
Disease Prevention
Before the 1st century C.E., the Chinese developed a way of fighting infectious diseases, which can spread from person to person. When an individual died from an infectious disease, the Chinese burned a chemical that released a poisonous smoke that they believed would destroy whatever was causing the illness. Today, it is well known that many diseases are caused by germs and that people can prevent the spread of disease by using disinfectants—substances like chlorine bleach that kill germs. The poisonous smoke used by the Chinese was a type of disinfectant. During the Song dynasty, the Chinese discovered another way to prevent the spread of disease. A Chinese monk recommended steaming the clothes of sick people because he believed that the steam would prevent others from becoming ill. The idea was sound, because hot temperatures kill many germs. Today, people boil medical instruments to kill disease-causing germs. Sometime around the 10th century, the Chinese discovered how to inoculate people against smallpox, a dreaded infectious disease. Inoculation is a way of stimulating a person's immune system to fight a particular disease. It works by exposing the person to a disease-carrying substance.
To inoculate people against smallpox, Chinese physicians took a small part of a scab from an infected person, crushed it into a powder, and then inserted the powder into the nose of the person they wanted to immunize, or protect against the disease. The Chinese knew that they had to be careful when exposing people to smallpox. Sometimes the treatment itself caused people to become ill. To be as cautious as possible, the Chinese took the infectious material from people who had already been inoculated. Chinese knowledge about smallpox inoculation eventually led to the development of drugs called vaccines. Modern medical professionals have developed vaccines for many diseases, including smallpox and the flu.
Rocket technology was developed in China during the Song dynasty. Rockets were powered by a black powder made of saltpeter, charcoal, and sulfur. Initially, rockets were used only in fireworks, but later the Chinese used them as weapons and even developed a two-stage rocket for their armies. The first stage propelled the rocket through the air, and the second stage dropped arrows down on the enemy.
By 1300, rockets had spread through much of Asia and into Europe. The rockets used to explore space today are based on principles discovered by the Chinese.
Paper Making & Printing
Historians believe the earliest Chinese paper was probably made from hemp and then the bark of the mulberry tree. Later, the Chinese used rags. Papermaking became an important industry in China. For more than 500 years, the Chinese were the only people in the world who knew the secret of making paper. From China, knowledge of papermaking traveled
to Japan and across Central Asia. Europeans probably first learned about this art after 1100. Considering how important it is for recording and transmitting information, few inventions have been more important in history than paper. In about the 7th century (600 BCE), the Chinese invented a technique called woodblock printing. The printer first drew characters (symbols) on paper, then glued the paper to a wooden block before carving the wood around the characters. This left a raised 'stamp' on the wood. The printer covered the characters with black ink, spread paper over the block, and smoothed the paper with a brush. In the 11th century (1000 BCE), individual characters made of wood or metal were used as they could be arranged to create a variety of printing jobs. When a printing job was complete, the type could be removed from the frame and rearranged to use again.
Porcelain
Some historians believe that the Chinese produced the first porcelain as early as the 1st century C.E. Porcelain is made by combining clay with the minerals quartz and feldspar, and it is then baked in a kiln, or pottery oven, at very high temperatures.
The resulting pottery is white, hard, and waterproof. Despite its sturdiness, light can still pass through porcelain, creating an appearance that is quite delicate and beautiful. By the 10th century (900-999), the Chinese were making porcelain of great artistry. Craftspeople learned how to paint pictures on porcelain and made colored glazes to decorate their work. Porcelain making became a major industry in China. Hundreds of thousands of people worked to mass-produce dishes, bowls, and vases. Some workers washed the clay, while others applied the glaze or operated the kiln. Since Europeans did not learn how to make fine porcelain until the 18th century (1700-1799), Chinese porcelain became a prized item for trade. Many people consider medieval Chinese porcelain to be the finest in the world, and people today still refer to fine porcelain dinnerware as “china.”
The Compass
The Chinese developed the first compass as early as the 3rd century (200-299) BCE. They were originally used for divination and constructing buildings in a north and south alignment. Using lodestone on wood, floating in a bowl of water, the stone will turn until it points in a north-south direction. The stone was eventually replaced with a steel needle rubbed against a lodestone as it was more accurate, as well as being smaller and easier to carry. This made long voyages at sea more navigable because sailors could figure out directions without a landmark or a point in the sky to steer by meaning they could travel further away from the coast and even when clouds obscured the night sky.
Gunpowder
The Chinese who first made gunpowder were alchemists, people who practiced a blend of science and magic known as alchemy. Alchemists experimented with mixtures of natural ingredients in an attempt to locate a substance that might allow people to become immortal. They also searched for a way to make gold out of cheaper metals. Chinese alchemists experimented with a mineral called saltpeter, which they may have believed could extend life. Perhaps by accident, they discovered that it could be used to make an explosive powder. In 850 C.E., during the Tang dynasty, alchemists recorded a formula for gunpowder but warned others to avoid it because it was extremely dangerous.
Steel
The Chinese first made steel, a very useful metal, before 200 B.C.E. Steel is made from iron, but it is less brittle than iron and easier to bend into different shapes. The earliest Chinese steel was made from cast iron. The Chinese were the first to learn how to make cast iron by melting and molding iron ore. Later they learned that blowing air into molten, or melted, cast iron causes a chemical reaction that creates steel, which is a great deal stronger than iron. These developments eventually made it possible to produce large amounts of steel cheaply. In the 1800s, the mass production of steel was crucial to the Industrial Revolution in the West. Today, iron and steel making are among China's most important industries.
Tea
Historians have discovered from written accounts that the Chinese have been drinking tea since at least 2700 B.C.E. For several thousand years, tea—made by steeping tea leaves in boiling water—was drunk mostly as medicine. However, by the 8th century C.E., tea had become a hugely popular everyday beverage that was enjoyed throughout China. Tea houses had sprung up throughout the country. A famous writer, Lu Yu, wrote a book, Cha Jing (Tea Classic), describing how to cultivate, prepare, and drink tea. The drink's popularity made tea-plant cultivation a major industry, often involving an entire community.
Playing Cards & Paper Money
Game cards were invented in China in about the 9th century. Printers used woodblock printing to make the cards from thick paper, and famous artists drew the designs that appeared on the backs of the cards. Europeans were introduced to card games by the late 1300s. Today, card games are played throughout the world. The Chinese invented paper money in the late 8th or early 9th century (700-900 CE). Before that time, coins were the only form of currency. Like game cards, paper money was printed with wood blocks. By 1107, Song printers were using multiple wood blocks to print each bill. A single bill would include many colors. Paper money is the most common form of currency in the world today.
Steel
The Chinese first made steel, a very useful metal, before 200 B.C.E. Steel is made from iron, but it is less brittle than iron and easier to bend into different shapes. The earliest Chinese steel was made from cast iron. The Chinese were the first to learn how to make cast iron by melting and molding iron ore. Later they learned that blowing air into molten, or melted, cast iron causes a chemical reaction that creates steel, which is a great deal stronger than iron. These developments eventually made it possible to produce large amounts of steel cheaply. In the 1800s, the mass production of steel was crucial to the Industrial Revolution in the West. Today, iron and steel making are among China's most important industries.
The Compass
The Chinese developed the first compass as early as the 3rd century (200-299) BCE. They were originally used for divination and constructing buildings in a north and south alignment. Using lodestone on wood, floating in a bowl of water, the stone will turn until it points in a north-south direction. The stone was eventually replaced with a steel needle rubbed against a lodestone as it was more accurate, as well as being smaller and easier to carry. This made long voyages at sea more navigable because sailors could figure out directions without a landmark or a point in the sky to steer by meaning they could travel further away from the coast and even when clouds obscured the night sky.
Travel along and across waters
The Chinese made sea travel safer by improving boat construction. By the 2nd century C.E., they started building ships with separate, watertight compartments. Builders divided the ships into sections and sealed each section with caulk, a sealant that repels water. If there were a leak, it would be isolated, and the other compartments would not fill with water, keeping the ship afloat. Modern shipbuilders still use this technique. Within China, people often traveled by boat on rivers or across lakes. An innovation of a vessel called a paddlewheel boat made this type of travel much faster.In the 5th century, the Chinese adapted this idea by arranging a series of paddles in a wheel. People walked on a treadmill to turn the paddlewheel, which in turn moved through the water, moving the boat forward.The people-powered paddlewheel boats allowed the Chinese to travel much faster on rivers and lakes, and were also much easier to maneuver than other types of watercraft. People still use this type of boat for recreational activities.
The Chinese also found ways to improve bridges. For example, in 618 C.E., a Chinese engineer completed a new type of arched bridge. In Europe, Roman-designed bridges rested on arches that were halfcircles. The new Chinese bridge used arches that were a smaller part, or segment, of a circle, making the bridges broader and flatter than semicircular arches could. Called a segmental arch bridge, the new type of bridge required less material to build and was stronger, as well.
Mechanical Clocks
The Chinese developed the first mechanical clock in about the 8th century (700-800 CE). The new clock was more accurate than earlier timekeeping devices, such as sundials and hourglasses. The Chinese devised a wheel that made one complete turn every 24 hours. Dripping water made the wheel turn. Every quarter hour, drums would beat; and every hour, a bell would chime. The sounds let people know what time it was. The Chinese improved the mechanical clock in 1092, during the Song dynasty. Although the new clock worked on the same principles as the earlier one, it was much more complex and accurate. Europeans first developed mechanical clocks in the late 1200s. As with Chinese clocks, a bell rang to indicate the hour. Later, dials and hands were added. Modern-day mechanical clocks are based on the same fundamental principles as early Chinese clocks.
Paper Making & Printing
Historians believe the earliest Chinese paper was probably made from hemp and then the bark of the mulberry tree. Later, the Chinese used rags. Papermaking became an important industry in China. For more than 500 years, the Chinese were the only people in the world who knew the secret of making paper. From China, knowledge of papermaking traveled
to Japan and across Central Asia. Europeans probably first learned about this art after 1100. Considering how important it is for recording and transmitting information, few inventions have been more important in history than paper. In about the 7th century (600 BCE), the Chinese invented a technique called woodblock printing. The printer first drew characters (symbols) on paper, then glued the paper to a wooden block before carving the wood around the characters. This left a raised 'stamp' on the wood. The printer covered the characters with black ink, spread paper over the block, and smoothed the paper with a brush. In the 11th century (1000 BCE), individual characters made of wood or metal were used as they could be arranged to create a variety of printing jobs. When a printing job was complete, the type could be removed from the frame and rearranged to use again.
That is all for Day 1...
DIRECTIONS: DO NOT CLOSE THIS WINDOW YET Use the processing sheet to help you identify and define important inventions and innovations from this time period. DUE FRIDAY November 7Use coloring tools to... 8 colors per side - 16 inventions total(one color per invention per side of the page) 1. Match the name of the object in the first column2. to the definition that matches it in the second column 3. Then try to match both the name and definition to a character that seems to describe the invention in the thrid column. Retrieve your processing sheet from your teacher (the yellow matching page)
Early flamethrowers contained gunpowder mixed with oil and were used to spray enemies with a stream of fire. Between the 11th and 14th centuries (1000-1400 ACE), the Chinese created many other weapons using gunpowder.
Artillery shells, for example, exploded after being hurled at enemies by a war machine called a catapult. The sound of the exploding shells confused the enemy and terrified their horses. Small bombs, or grenades, were lit and thrown by hand.
In the 13th century (1200-1300), the Chinese used large bombs that were as explosive as modern bombs. Around the same time, they developed weapons much like today's rifles and cannons. By the early 1300s, travelers had brought the knowledge of gunpowder to Europe. Gunpowder forever changed the way people waged war and, eventually, weapons like crossbows, swords, and spears gave way to guns and cannons.
The Compass
The Chinese developed the first compass as early as the 3rd century (200-299) BCE. They were originally used for divination and constructing buildings in a north and south alignment. Using lodestone on wood, floating in a bowl of water, the stone will turn until it points in a north-south direction. The stone was eventually replaced with a steel needle rubbed against a lodestone as it was more accurate, as well as being smaller and easier to carry. This made long voyages at sea more navigable because sailors could figure out directions without a landmark or a point in the sky to steer by meaning they could travel further away from the coast and even when clouds obscured the night sky.
Travel along and across waters
The Chinese made sea travel safer by improving boat construction. By the 2nd century C.E., they started building ships with separate, watertight compartments. Builders divided the ships into sections and sealed each section with caulk, a sealant that repels water. If there were a leak, it would be isolated, and the other compartments would not fill with water, keeping the ship afloat. Modern shipbuilders still use this technique. Within China, people often traveled by boat on rivers or across lakes. An innovation of a vessel called a paddlewheel boat made this type of travel much faster.In the 5th century, the Chinese adapted this idea by arranging a series of paddles in a wheel. People walked on a treadmill to turn the paddlewheel, which in turn moved through the water, moving the boat forward.The people-powered paddlewheel boats allowed the Chinese to travel much faster on rivers and lakes, and were also much easier to maneuver than other types of watercraft. People still use this type of boat for recreational activities.
The Chinese also found ways to improve bridges. For example, in 618 C.E., a Chinese engineer completed a new type of arched bridge. In Europe, Roman-designed bridges rested on arches that were halfcircles. The new Chinese bridge used arches that were a smaller part, or segment, of a circle, making the bridges broader and flatter than semicircular arches could. Called a segmental arch bridge, the new type of bridge required less material to build and was stronger, as well.
Tea
Historians have discovered from written accounts that the Chinese have been drinking tea since at least 2700 B.C.E. For several thousand years, tea—made by steeping tea leaves in boiling water—was drunk mostly as medicine. However, by the 8th century C.E., tea had become a hugely popular everyday beverage that was enjoyed throughout China. Tea houses had sprung up throughout the country. A famous writer, Lu Yu, wrote a book, Cha Jing (Tea Classic), describing how to cultivate, prepare, and drink tea. The drink's popularity made tea-plant cultivation a major industry, often involving an entire community.
Porcelain
Some historians believe that the Chinese produced the first porcelain as early as the 1st century C.E. Porcelain is made by combining clay with the minerals quartz and feldspar, and it is then baked in a kiln, or pottery oven, at very high temperatures.
The resulting pottery is white, hard, and waterproof. Despite its sturdiness, light can still pass through porcelain, creating an appearance that is quite delicate and beautiful. By the 10th century (900-999), the Chinese were making porcelain of great artistry. Craftspeople learned how to paint pictures on porcelain and made colored glazes to decorate their work. Porcelain making became a major industry in China. Hundreds of thousands of people worked to mass-produce dishes, bowls, and vases. Some workers washed the clay, while others applied the glaze or operated the kiln. Since Europeans did not learn how to make fine porcelain until the 18th century (1700-1799), Chinese porcelain became a prized item for trade. Many people consider medieval Chinese porcelain to be the finest in the world, and people today still refer to fine porcelain dinnerware as “china.”
Travel along and across waters
The Chinese made sea travel safer by improving boat construction. By the 2nd century C.E., they started building ships with separate, watertight compartments. Builders divided the ships into sections and sealed each section with caulk, a sealant that repels water. If there were a leak, it would be isolated, and the other compartments would not fill with water, keeping the ship afloat. Modern shipbuilders still use this technique. Within China, people often traveled by boat on rivers or across lakes. An innovation of a vessel called a paddlewheel boat made this type of travel much faster.In the 5th century, the Chinese adapted this idea by arranging a series of paddles in a wheel. People walked on a treadmill to turn the paddlewheel, which in turn moved through the water, moving the boat forward.The people-powered paddlewheel boats allowed the Chinese to travel much faster on rivers and lakes, and were also much easier to maneuver than other types of watercraft. People still use this type of boat for recreational activities.
The Chinese also found ways to improve bridges. For example, in 618 C.E., a Chinese engineer completed a new type of arched bridge. In Europe, Roman-designed bridges rested on arches that were halfcircles. The new Chinese bridge used arches that were a smaller part, or segment, of a circle, making the bridges broader and flatter than semicircular arches could. Called a segmental arch bridge, the new type of bridge required less material to build and was stronger, as well.
Gunpowder
The Chinese who first made gunpowder were alchemists, people who practiced a blend of science and magic known as alchemy. Alchemists experimented with mixtures of natural ingredients in an attempt to locate a substance that might allow people to become immortal. They also searched for a way to make gold out of cheaper metals. Chinese alchemists experimented with a mineral called saltpeter, which they may have believed could extend life. Perhaps by accident, they discovered that it could be used to make an explosive powder. In 850 C.E., during the Tang dynasty, alchemists recorded a formula for gunpowder but warned others to avoid it because it was extremely dangerous.
Porcelain
Some historians believe that the Chinese produced the first porcelain as early as the 1st century C.E. Porcelain is made by combining clay with the minerals quartz and feldspar, and it is then baked in a kiln, or pottery oven, at very high temperatures.
The resulting pottery is white, hard, and waterproof. Despite its sturdiness, light can still pass through porcelain, creating an appearance that is quite delicate and beautiful. By the 10th century (900-999), the Chinese were making porcelain of great artistry. Craftspeople learned how to paint pictures on porcelain and made colored glazes to decorate their work. Porcelain making became a major industry in China. Hundreds of thousands of people worked to mass-produce dishes, bowls, and vases. Some workers washed the clay, while others applied the glaze or operated the kiln. Since Europeans did not learn how to make fine porcelain until the 18th century (1700-1799), Chinese porcelain became a prized item for trade. Many people consider medieval Chinese porcelain to be the finest in the world, and people today still refer to fine porcelain dinnerware as “china.”
Tea
Historians have discovered from written accounts that the Chinese have been drinking tea since at least 2700 B.C.E. For several thousand years, tea—made by steeping tea leaves in boiling water—was drunk mostly as medicine. However, by the 8th century C.E., tea had become a hugely popular everyday beverage that was enjoyed throughout China. Tea houses had sprung up throughout the country. A famous writer, Lu Yu, wrote a book, Cha Jing (Tea Classic), describing how to cultivate, prepare, and drink tea. The drink's popularity made tea-plant cultivation a major industry, often involving an entire community.
Paper Making & Printing
Historians believe the earliest Chinese paper was probably made from hemp and then the bark of the mulberry tree. Later, the Chinese used rags. Papermaking became an important industry in China. For more than 500 years, the Chinese were the only people in the world who knew the secret of making paper. From China, knowledge of papermaking traveled
to Japan and across Central Asia. Europeans probably first learned about this art after 1100. Considering how important it is for recording and transmitting information, few inventions have been more important in history than paper. In about the 7th century (600 BCE), the Chinese invented a technique called woodblock printing. The printer first drew characters (symbols) on paper, then glued the paper to a wooden block before carving the wood around the characters. This left a raised 'stamp' on the wood. The printer covered the characters with black ink, spread paper over the block, and smoothed the paper with a brush. In the 11th century (1000 BCE), individual characters made of wood or metal were used as they could be arranged to create a variety of printing jobs. When a printing job was complete, the type could be removed from the frame and rearranged to use again.
Discover the Chamber
Kimberly West
Created on November 1, 2025
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Transcript
Discover the Chamber
Day 2
Day 1
Escape the Chamber
You and your team of young historians are exploring the ruins of an ancient Chinese workshop—a place rumored to have belonged to one of the emperor’s greatest inventors during the Tang and Song Dynasties.Dust fills the air as you push open a heavy wooden door. Inside, you find a dark study, lit only by a thin beam of sunlight filtering through a cracked window. In the center of the room sits a large wooden desk, cluttered with scrolls, tools, strange papers, porcelain cups, and bits of metalwork. At the far end of the desk are five ink wells, each carved with mysterious Chinese characters. A faded note on the book beside them reads:
“Only those who understand the wisdom of invention may unlock the secrets of progress.”
Objective
Your mission is to decipher the meaning of the five ink wells.Each ink well represents a realm of discovery; the keys to China’s greatest achievements. To escape the chamber and uncover the mystery of innovation, you must explore the clues scattered across the desk and reveal how each invention shaped the modern world.
Background
Between about 200 and 1400 C.E., the Chinese made many discoveries and inventions. Many of these advances occurred during the Tang and Song dynasties, and the influence of these advancements is still evident today. Over the centuries, Chinese scholars and scientists studied engineering, mathematics, science, and medicine, among other subjects. Their studies led to scientific and technological progress that was often far ahead of advances in the rest of the world. Each ink well will illuminate certain items on the desk with key details for you to remember. Select the first to begin.
Exploration
Check my understandings
Exploration
Check my understandings
Well done. Can you do another?
Exploration
Check my understandings
Well done. Can you do another?
One final question for you!
The red ink glows faintly as you finish the last question. The characters swirl into alignment, revealing the path ahead. You’ve unlocked the secrets of Chinese exploration and travel! Your understanding of compasses, ships, and bridges has guided you true, just as it did for explorers long ago. Move on to the next ink well to uncover more ancient innovations!
Industry
Check my understandings
Industry
Check my understandings
Well done. Can you do another?
Industry
Check my understandings
Well done. Can you do another?
One final question for you!
The blue ink swirls and shines as your answers are confirmed. You’ve unlocked the secrets of Chinese industry! From paper to porcelain, tea to steel, your understanding of innovation now flows like the rivers of China itself. Move on to the next ink well to uncover more ancient innovations!
The blue ink swirls and shines as your answers are confirmed. You’ve unlocked the secrets of Chinese industry! From paper to porcelain, tea to steel, your understanding of innovation now flows like the rivers of China itself. Move on to the next ink well to uncover more ancient innovations!
Military
Check my understandings
Military
Check my understandings
Well done. Can you do another?
Military
Check my understandings
Well done. Can you do another?
One final question for you!
The white ink pulses like a spark as your answers are confirmed. You’ve unlocked the secrets of Chinese military innovation! From gunpowder to rockets, your understanding of these powerful inventions illuminates the path forward. Move on to the next ink well to uncover more ancient innovations!
Everyday Improvements
Check my understandings
Everyday Improvements
Check my understandings
Well done. Can you do another?
Everyday Improvements
Check my understandings
Well done. Can you do another?
One final question for you!
The pink ink swirls and glows as you complete the last question. You’ve unlocked the secrets of Chinese ingenuity in everyday life and timekeeping! Your understanding of cards, paper money, and clocks has brought you closer to mastering the mysteries of the ink wells. Move on to the next ink well to uncover more ancient innovations!
Health
Check my understandings
Health
Check my understandings
Well done. Can you do another?
Health
Check my understandings
Well done. Can you do another?
One final question for you!
The green ink glows warmly as you finish your final task. You’ve unlocked the wisdom of ancient Chinese medicine and innovation! From disinfectants to inoculations, your understanding of how these ideas evolved into modern science is now complete. Suddenly, the pages of the book beside the ink wells begins to glow! Click the ancient tome to reveal your final message and complete your escape.
Congratulations, you made it out!
We'll randomly generate a word code below: Use ______________ as the code and submit your Google Form
dragonfly
Wrong answer
Go back and find the highlighted items on the desk to learn more before trying again.
Try again
Early flamethrowers contained gunpowder mixed with oil and were used to spray enemies with a stream of fire. Between the 11th and 14th centuries (1000-1400 ACE), the Chinese created many other weapons using gunpowder. Artillery shells, for example, exploded after being hurled at enemies by a war machine called a catapult. The sound of the exploding shells confused the enemy and terrified their horses. Small bombs, or grenades, were lit and thrown by hand.
In the 13th century (1200-1300), the Chinese used large bombs that were as explosive as modern bombs. Around the same time, they developed weapons much like today's rifles and cannons. By the early 1300s, travelers had brought the knowledge of gunpowder to Europe. Gunpowder forever changed the way people waged war and, eventually, weapons like crossbows, swords, and spears gave way to guns and cannons.
Playing Cards & Paper Money
Game cards were invented in China in about the 9th century. Printers used woodblock printing to make the cards from thick paper, and famous artists drew the designs that appeared on the backs of the cards. Europeans were introduced to card games by the late 1300s. Today, card games are played throughout the world. The Chinese invented paper money in the late 8th or early 9th century (700-900 CE). Before that time, coins were the only form of currency. Like game cards, paper money was printed with wood blocks. By 1107, Song printers were using multiple wood blocks to print each bill. A single bill would include many colors. Paper money is the most common form of currency in the world today.
The Compass
The Chinese developed the first compass as early as the 3rd century (200-299) BCE. They were originally used for divination and constructing buildings in a north and south alignment. Using lodestone on wood, floating in a bowl of water, the stone will turn until it points in a north-south direction. The stone was eventually replaced with a steel needle rubbed against a lodestone as it was more accurate, as well as being smaller and easier to carry. This made long voyages at sea more navigable because sailors could figure out directions without a landmark or a point in the sky to steer by meaning they could travel further away from the coast and even when clouds obscured the night sky.
Disease Prevention
Before the 1st century C.E., the Chinese developed a way of fighting infectious diseases, which can spread from person to person. When an individual died from an infectious disease, the Chinese burned a chemical that released a poisonous smoke that they believed would destroy whatever was causing the illness. Today, it is well known that many diseases are caused by germs and that people can prevent the spread of disease by using disinfectants—substances like chlorine bleach that kill germs. The poisonous smoke used by the Chinese was a type of disinfectant. During the Song dynasty, the Chinese discovered another way to prevent the spread of disease. A Chinese monk recommended steaming the clothes of sick people because he believed that the steam would prevent others from becoming ill. The idea was sound, because hot temperatures kill many germs. Today, people boil medical instruments to kill disease-causing germs. Sometime around the 10th century, the Chinese discovered how to inoculate people against smallpox, a dreaded infectious disease. Inoculation is a way of stimulating a person's immune system to fight a particular disease. It works by exposing the person to a disease-carrying substance.
To inoculate people against smallpox, Chinese physicians took a small part of a scab from an infected person, crushed it into a powder, and then inserted the powder into the nose of the person they wanted to immunize, or protect against the disease. The Chinese knew that they had to be careful when exposing people to smallpox. Sometimes the treatment itself caused people to become ill. To be as cautious as possible, the Chinese took the infectious material from people who had already been inoculated. Chinese knowledge about smallpox inoculation eventually led to the development of drugs called vaccines. Modern medical professionals have developed vaccines for many diseases, including smallpox and the flu.
Steel
The Chinese first made steel, a very useful metal, before 200 B.C.E. Steel is made from iron, but it is less brittle than iron and easier to bend into different shapes. The earliest Chinese steel was made from cast iron. The Chinese were the first to learn how to make cast iron by melting and molding iron ore. Later they learned that blowing air into molten, or melted, cast iron causes a chemical reaction that creates steel, which is a great deal stronger than iron. These developments eventually made it possible to produce large amounts of steel cheaply. In the 1800s, the mass production of steel was crucial to the Industrial Revolution in the West. Today, iron and steel making are among China's most important industries.
Rocket technology was developed in China during the Song dynasty. Rockets were powered by a black powder made of saltpeter, charcoal, and sulfur. Initially, rockets were used only in fireworks, but later the Chinese used them as weapons and even developed a two-stage rocket for their armies. The first stage propelled the rocket through the air, and the second stage dropped arrows down on the enemy. By 1300, rockets had spread through much of Asia and into Europe. The rockets used to explore space today are based on principles discovered by the Chinese.
Disease Prevention
Before the 1st century C.E., the Chinese developed a way of fighting infectious diseases, which can spread from person to person. When an individual died from an infectious disease, the Chinese burned a chemical that released a poisonous smoke that they believed would destroy whatever was causing the illness. Today, it is well known that many diseases are caused by germs and that people can prevent the spread of disease by using disinfectants—substances like chlorine bleach that kill germs. The poisonous smoke used by the Chinese was a type of disinfectant. During the Song dynasty, the Chinese discovered another way to prevent the spread of disease. A Chinese monk recommended steaming the clothes of sick people because he believed that the steam would prevent others from becoming ill. The idea was sound, because hot temperatures kill many germs. Today, people boil medical instruments to kill disease-causing germs. Sometime around the 10th century, the Chinese discovered how to inoculate people against smallpox, a dreaded infectious disease. Inoculation is a way of stimulating a person's immune system to fight a particular disease. It works by exposing the person to a disease-carrying substance.
To inoculate people against smallpox, Chinese physicians took a small part of a scab from an infected person, crushed it into a powder, and then inserted the powder into the nose of the person they wanted to immunize, or protect against the disease. The Chinese knew that they had to be careful when exposing people to smallpox. Sometimes the treatment itself caused people to become ill. To be as cautious as possible, the Chinese took the infectious material from people who had already been inoculated. Chinese knowledge about smallpox inoculation eventually led to the development of drugs called vaccines. Modern medical professionals have developed vaccines for many diseases, including smallpox and the flu.
Playing Cards & Paper Money
Game cards were invented in China in about the 9th century. Printers used woodblock printing to make the cards from thick paper, and famous artists drew the designs that appeared on the backs of the cards. Europeans were introduced to card games by the late 1300s. Today, card games are played throughout the world. The Chinese invented paper money in the late 8th or early 9th century (700-900 CE). Before that time, coins were the only form of currency. Like game cards, paper money was printed with wood blocks. By 1107, Song printers were using multiple wood blocks to print each bill. A single bill would include many colors. Paper money is the most common form of currency in the world today.
Early flamethrowers contained gunpowder mixed with oil and were used to spray enemies with a stream of fire. Between the 11th and 14th centuries (1000-1400 ACE), the Chinese created many other weapons using gunpowder. Artillery shells, for example, exploded after being hurled at enemies by a war machine called a catapult. The sound of the exploding shells confused the enemy and terrified their horses. Small bombs, or grenades, were lit and thrown by hand.
In the 13th century (1200-1300), the Chinese used large bombs that were as explosive as modern bombs. Around the same time, they developed weapons much like today's rifles and cannons. By the early 1300s, travelers had brought the knowledge of gunpowder to Europe. Gunpowder forever changed the way people waged war and, eventually, weapons like crossbows, swords, and spears gave way to guns and cannons.
Mechanical Clocks
The Chinese developed the first mechanical clock in about the 8th century (700-800 CE). The new clock was more accurate than earlier timekeeping devices, such as sundials and hourglasses. The Chinese devised a wheel that made one complete turn every 24 hours. Dripping water made the wheel turn. Every quarter hour, drums would beat; and every hour, a bell would chime. The sounds let people know what time it was. The Chinese improved the mechanical clock in 1092, during the Song dynasty. Although the new clock worked on the same principles as the earlier one, it was much more complex and accurate. Europeans first developed mechanical clocks in the late 1200s. As with Chinese clocks, a bell rang to indicate the hour. Later, dials and hands were added. Modern-day mechanical clocks are based on the same fundamental principles as early Chinese clocks.
Travel along and across rivers
The Chinese made sea travel safer by improving boat construction. By the 2nd century C.E., they started building ships with separate, watertight compartments. Builders divided the ships into sections and sealed each section with caulk, a sealant that repels water. If there were a leak, it would be isolated, and the other compartments would not fill with water, keeping the ship afloat. Modern shipbuilders still use this technique. Within China, people often traveled by boat on rivers or across lakes. An innovation of a vessel called a paddlewheel boat made this type of travel much faster.In the 5th century, the Chinese adapted this idea by arranging a series of paddles in a wheel. People walked on a treadmill to turn the paddlewheel, which in turn moved through the water, moving the boat forward.The people-powered paddlewheel boats allowed the Chinese to travel much faster on rivers and lakes, and were also much easier to maneuver than other types of watercraft. People still use this type of boat for recreational activities.
The Chinese also found ways to improve bridges. For example, in 618 C.E., a Chinese engineer completed a new type of arched bridge. In Europe, Roman-designed bridges rested on arches that were halfcircles. The new Chinese bridge used arches that were a smaller part, or segment, of a circle, making the bridges broader and flatter than semicircular arches could. Called a segmental arch bridge, the new type of bridge required less material to build and was stronger, as well.
Mechanical Clocks
The Chinese developed the first mechanical clock in about the 8th century (700-800 CE). The new clock was more accurate than earlier timekeeping devices, such as sundials and hourglasses. The Chinese devised a wheel that made one complete turn every 24 hours. Dripping water made the wheel turn. Every quarter hour, drums would beat; and every hour, a bell would chime. The sounds let people know what time it was. The Chinese improved the mechanical clock in 1092, during the Song dynasty. Although the new clock worked on the same principles as the earlier one, it was much more complex and accurate. Europeans first developed mechanical clocks in the late 1200s. As with Chinese clocks, a bell rang to indicate the hour. Later, dials and hands were added. Modern-day mechanical clocks are based on the same fundamental principles as early Chinese clocks.
Rocket technology was developed in China during the Song dynasty. Rockets were powered by a black powder made of saltpeter, charcoal, and sulfur. Initially, rockets were used only in fireworks, but later the Chinese used them as weapons and even developed a two-stage rocket for their armies. The first stage propelled the rocket through the air, and the second stage dropped arrows down on the enemy. By 1300, rockets had spread through much of Asia and into Europe. The rockets used to explore space today are based on principles discovered by the Chinese.
Gunpowder
The Chinese who first made gunpowder were alchemists, people who practiced a blend of science and magic known as alchemy. Alchemists experimented with mixtures of natural ingredients in an attempt to locate a substance that might allow people to become immortal. They also searched for a way to make gold out of cheaper metals. Chinese alchemists experimented with a mineral called saltpeter, which they may have believed could extend life. Perhaps by accident, they discovered that it could be used to make an explosive powder. In 850 C.E., during the Tang dynasty, alchemists recorded a formula for gunpowder but warned others to avoid it because it was extremely dangerous.
Disease Prevention
Before the 1st century C.E., the Chinese developed a way of fighting infectious diseases, which can spread from person to person. When an individual died from an infectious disease, the Chinese burned a chemical that released a poisonous smoke that they believed would destroy whatever was causing the illness. Today, it is well known that many diseases are caused by germs and that people can prevent the spread of disease by using disinfectants—substances like chlorine bleach that kill germs. The poisonous smoke used by the Chinese was a type of disinfectant. During the Song dynasty, the Chinese discovered another way to prevent the spread of disease. A Chinese monk recommended steaming the clothes of sick people because he believed that the steam would prevent others from becoming ill. The idea was sound, because hot temperatures kill many germs. Today, people boil medical instruments to kill disease-causing germs. Sometime around the 10th century, the Chinese discovered how to inoculate people against smallpox, a dreaded infectious disease. Inoculation is a way of stimulating a person's immune system to fight a particular disease. It works by exposing the person to a disease-carrying substance.
To inoculate people against smallpox, Chinese physicians took a small part of a scab from an infected person, crushed it into a powder, and then inserted the powder into the nose of the person they wanted to immunize, or protect against the disease. The Chinese knew that they had to be careful when exposing people to smallpox. Sometimes the treatment itself caused people to become ill. To be as cautious as possible, the Chinese took the infectious material from people who had already been inoculated. Chinese knowledge about smallpox inoculation eventually led to the development of drugs called vaccines. Modern medical professionals have developed vaccines for many diseases, including smallpox and the flu.
Rocket technology was developed in China during the Song dynasty. Rockets were powered by a black powder made of saltpeter, charcoal, and sulfur. Initially, rockets were used only in fireworks, but later the Chinese used them as weapons and even developed a two-stage rocket for their armies. The first stage propelled the rocket through the air, and the second stage dropped arrows down on the enemy. By 1300, rockets had spread through much of Asia and into Europe. The rockets used to explore space today are based on principles discovered by the Chinese.
Paper Making & Printing
Historians believe the earliest Chinese paper was probably made from hemp and then the bark of the mulberry tree. Later, the Chinese used rags. Papermaking became an important industry in China. For more than 500 years, the Chinese were the only people in the world who knew the secret of making paper. From China, knowledge of papermaking traveled
to Japan and across Central Asia. Europeans probably first learned about this art after 1100. Considering how important it is for recording and transmitting information, few inventions have been more important in history than paper. In about the 7th century (600 BCE), the Chinese invented a technique called woodblock printing. The printer first drew characters (symbols) on paper, then glued the paper to a wooden block before carving the wood around the characters. This left a raised 'stamp' on the wood. The printer covered the characters with black ink, spread paper over the block, and smoothed the paper with a brush. In the 11th century (1000 BCE), individual characters made of wood or metal were used as they could be arranged to create a variety of printing jobs. When a printing job was complete, the type could be removed from the frame and rearranged to use again.
Porcelain
Some historians believe that the Chinese produced the first porcelain as early as the 1st century C.E. Porcelain is made by combining clay with the minerals quartz and feldspar, and it is then baked in a kiln, or pottery oven, at very high temperatures.
The resulting pottery is white, hard, and waterproof. Despite its sturdiness, light can still pass through porcelain, creating an appearance that is quite delicate and beautiful. By the 10th century (900-999), the Chinese were making porcelain of great artistry. Craftspeople learned how to paint pictures on porcelain and made colored glazes to decorate their work. Porcelain making became a major industry in China. Hundreds of thousands of people worked to mass-produce dishes, bowls, and vases. Some workers washed the clay, while others applied the glaze or operated the kiln. Since Europeans did not learn how to make fine porcelain until the 18th century (1700-1799), Chinese porcelain became a prized item for trade. Many people consider medieval Chinese porcelain to be the finest in the world, and people today still refer to fine porcelain dinnerware as “china.”
The Compass
The Chinese developed the first compass as early as the 3rd century (200-299) BCE. They were originally used for divination and constructing buildings in a north and south alignment. Using lodestone on wood, floating in a bowl of water, the stone will turn until it points in a north-south direction. The stone was eventually replaced with a steel needle rubbed against a lodestone as it was more accurate, as well as being smaller and easier to carry. This made long voyages at sea more navigable because sailors could figure out directions without a landmark or a point in the sky to steer by meaning they could travel further away from the coast and even when clouds obscured the night sky.
Gunpowder
The Chinese who first made gunpowder were alchemists, people who practiced a blend of science and magic known as alchemy. Alchemists experimented with mixtures of natural ingredients in an attempt to locate a substance that might allow people to become immortal. They also searched for a way to make gold out of cheaper metals. Chinese alchemists experimented with a mineral called saltpeter, which they may have believed could extend life. Perhaps by accident, they discovered that it could be used to make an explosive powder. In 850 C.E., during the Tang dynasty, alchemists recorded a formula for gunpowder but warned others to avoid it because it was extremely dangerous.
Steel
The Chinese first made steel, a very useful metal, before 200 B.C.E. Steel is made from iron, but it is less brittle than iron and easier to bend into different shapes. The earliest Chinese steel was made from cast iron. The Chinese were the first to learn how to make cast iron by melting and molding iron ore. Later they learned that blowing air into molten, or melted, cast iron causes a chemical reaction that creates steel, which is a great deal stronger than iron. These developments eventually made it possible to produce large amounts of steel cheaply. In the 1800s, the mass production of steel was crucial to the Industrial Revolution in the West. Today, iron and steel making are among China's most important industries.
Tea
Historians have discovered from written accounts that the Chinese have been drinking tea since at least 2700 B.C.E. For several thousand years, tea—made by steeping tea leaves in boiling water—was drunk mostly as medicine. However, by the 8th century C.E., tea had become a hugely popular everyday beverage that was enjoyed throughout China. Tea houses had sprung up throughout the country. A famous writer, Lu Yu, wrote a book, Cha Jing (Tea Classic), describing how to cultivate, prepare, and drink tea. The drink's popularity made tea-plant cultivation a major industry, often involving an entire community.
Playing Cards & Paper Money
Game cards were invented in China in about the 9th century. Printers used woodblock printing to make the cards from thick paper, and famous artists drew the designs that appeared on the backs of the cards. Europeans were introduced to card games by the late 1300s. Today, card games are played throughout the world. The Chinese invented paper money in the late 8th or early 9th century (700-900 CE). Before that time, coins were the only form of currency. Like game cards, paper money was printed with wood blocks. By 1107, Song printers were using multiple wood blocks to print each bill. A single bill would include many colors. Paper money is the most common form of currency in the world today.
Steel
The Chinese first made steel, a very useful metal, before 200 B.C.E. Steel is made from iron, but it is less brittle than iron and easier to bend into different shapes. The earliest Chinese steel was made from cast iron. The Chinese were the first to learn how to make cast iron by melting and molding iron ore. Later they learned that blowing air into molten, or melted, cast iron causes a chemical reaction that creates steel, which is a great deal stronger than iron. These developments eventually made it possible to produce large amounts of steel cheaply. In the 1800s, the mass production of steel was crucial to the Industrial Revolution in the West. Today, iron and steel making are among China's most important industries.
The Compass
The Chinese developed the first compass as early as the 3rd century (200-299) BCE. They were originally used for divination and constructing buildings in a north and south alignment. Using lodestone on wood, floating in a bowl of water, the stone will turn until it points in a north-south direction. The stone was eventually replaced with a steel needle rubbed against a lodestone as it was more accurate, as well as being smaller and easier to carry. This made long voyages at sea more navigable because sailors could figure out directions without a landmark or a point in the sky to steer by meaning they could travel further away from the coast and even when clouds obscured the night sky.
Travel along and across waters
The Chinese made sea travel safer by improving boat construction. By the 2nd century C.E., they started building ships with separate, watertight compartments. Builders divided the ships into sections and sealed each section with caulk, a sealant that repels water. If there were a leak, it would be isolated, and the other compartments would not fill with water, keeping the ship afloat. Modern shipbuilders still use this technique. Within China, people often traveled by boat on rivers or across lakes. An innovation of a vessel called a paddlewheel boat made this type of travel much faster.In the 5th century, the Chinese adapted this idea by arranging a series of paddles in a wheel. People walked on a treadmill to turn the paddlewheel, which in turn moved through the water, moving the boat forward.The people-powered paddlewheel boats allowed the Chinese to travel much faster on rivers and lakes, and were also much easier to maneuver than other types of watercraft. People still use this type of boat for recreational activities.
The Chinese also found ways to improve bridges. For example, in 618 C.E., a Chinese engineer completed a new type of arched bridge. In Europe, Roman-designed bridges rested on arches that were halfcircles. The new Chinese bridge used arches that were a smaller part, or segment, of a circle, making the bridges broader and flatter than semicircular arches could. Called a segmental arch bridge, the new type of bridge required less material to build and was stronger, as well.
Mechanical Clocks
The Chinese developed the first mechanical clock in about the 8th century (700-800 CE). The new clock was more accurate than earlier timekeeping devices, such as sundials and hourglasses. The Chinese devised a wheel that made one complete turn every 24 hours. Dripping water made the wheel turn. Every quarter hour, drums would beat; and every hour, a bell would chime. The sounds let people know what time it was. The Chinese improved the mechanical clock in 1092, during the Song dynasty. Although the new clock worked on the same principles as the earlier one, it was much more complex and accurate. Europeans first developed mechanical clocks in the late 1200s. As with Chinese clocks, a bell rang to indicate the hour. Later, dials and hands were added. Modern-day mechanical clocks are based on the same fundamental principles as early Chinese clocks.
Paper Making & Printing
Historians believe the earliest Chinese paper was probably made from hemp and then the bark of the mulberry tree. Later, the Chinese used rags. Papermaking became an important industry in China. For more than 500 years, the Chinese were the only people in the world who knew the secret of making paper. From China, knowledge of papermaking traveled
to Japan and across Central Asia. Europeans probably first learned about this art after 1100. Considering how important it is for recording and transmitting information, few inventions have been more important in history than paper. In about the 7th century (600 BCE), the Chinese invented a technique called woodblock printing. The printer first drew characters (symbols) on paper, then glued the paper to a wooden block before carving the wood around the characters. This left a raised 'stamp' on the wood. The printer covered the characters with black ink, spread paper over the block, and smoothed the paper with a brush. In the 11th century (1000 BCE), individual characters made of wood or metal were used as they could be arranged to create a variety of printing jobs. When a printing job was complete, the type could be removed from the frame and rearranged to use again.
That is all for Day 1...
DIRECTIONS: DO NOT CLOSE THIS WINDOW YET Use the processing sheet to help you identify and define important inventions and innovations from this time period. DUE FRIDAY November 7Use coloring tools to... 8 colors per side - 16 inventions total(one color per invention per side of the page) 1. Match the name of the object in the first column2. to the definition that matches it in the second column 3. Then try to match both the name and definition to a character that seems to describe the invention in the thrid column. Retrieve your processing sheet from your teacher (the yellow matching page)
Early flamethrowers contained gunpowder mixed with oil and were used to spray enemies with a stream of fire. Between the 11th and 14th centuries (1000-1400 ACE), the Chinese created many other weapons using gunpowder. Artillery shells, for example, exploded after being hurled at enemies by a war machine called a catapult. The sound of the exploding shells confused the enemy and terrified their horses. Small bombs, or grenades, were lit and thrown by hand.
In the 13th century (1200-1300), the Chinese used large bombs that were as explosive as modern bombs. Around the same time, they developed weapons much like today's rifles and cannons. By the early 1300s, travelers had brought the knowledge of gunpowder to Europe. Gunpowder forever changed the way people waged war and, eventually, weapons like crossbows, swords, and spears gave way to guns and cannons.
The Compass
The Chinese developed the first compass as early as the 3rd century (200-299) BCE. They were originally used for divination and constructing buildings in a north and south alignment. Using lodestone on wood, floating in a bowl of water, the stone will turn until it points in a north-south direction. The stone was eventually replaced with a steel needle rubbed against a lodestone as it was more accurate, as well as being smaller and easier to carry. This made long voyages at sea more navigable because sailors could figure out directions without a landmark or a point in the sky to steer by meaning they could travel further away from the coast and even when clouds obscured the night sky.
Travel along and across waters
The Chinese made sea travel safer by improving boat construction. By the 2nd century C.E., they started building ships with separate, watertight compartments. Builders divided the ships into sections and sealed each section with caulk, a sealant that repels water. If there were a leak, it would be isolated, and the other compartments would not fill with water, keeping the ship afloat. Modern shipbuilders still use this technique. Within China, people often traveled by boat on rivers or across lakes. An innovation of a vessel called a paddlewheel boat made this type of travel much faster.In the 5th century, the Chinese adapted this idea by arranging a series of paddles in a wheel. People walked on a treadmill to turn the paddlewheel, which in turn moved through the water, moving the boat forward.The people-powered paddlewheel boats allowed the Chinese to travel much faster on rivers and lakes, and were also much easier to maneuver than other types of watercraft. People still use this type of boat for recreational activities.
The Chinese also found ways to improve bridges. For example, in 618 C.E., a Chinese engineer completed a new type of arched bridge. In Europe, Roman-designed bridges rested on arches that were halfcircles. The new Chinese bridge used arches that were a smaller part, or segment, of a circle, making the bridges broader and flatter than semicircular arches could. Called a segmental arch bridge, the new type of bridge required less material to build and was stronger, as well.
Tea
Historians have discovered from written accounts that the Chinese have been drinking tea since at least 2700 B.C.E. For several thousand years, tea—made by steeping tea leaves in boiling water—was drunk mostly as medicine. However, by the 8th century C.E., tea had become a hugely popular everyday beverage that was enjoyed throughout China. Tea houses had sprung up throughout the country. A famous writer, Lu Yu, wrote a book, Cha Jing (Tea Classic), describing how to cultivate, prepare, and drink tea. The drink's popularity made tea-plant cultivation a major industry, often involving an entire community.
Porcelain
Some historians believe that the Chinese produced the first porcelain as early as the 1st century C.E. Porcelain is made by combining clay with the minerals quartz and feldspar, and it is then baked in a kiln, or pottery oven, at very high temperatures.
The resulting pottery is white, hard, and waterproof. Despite its sturdiness, light can still pass through porcelain, creating an appearance that is quite delicate and beautiful. By the 10th century (900-999), the Chinese were making porcelain of great artistry. Craftspeople learned how to paint pictures on porcelain and made colored glazes to decorate their work. Porcelain making became a major industry in China. Hundreds of thousands of people worked to mass-produce dishes, bowls, and vases. Some workers washed the clay, while others applied the glaze or operated the kiln. Since Europeans did not learn how to make fine porcelain until the 18th century (1700-1799), Chinese porcelain became a prized item for trade. Many people consider medieval Chinese porcelain to be the finest in the world, and people today still refer to fine porcelain dinnerware as “china.”
Travel along and across waters
The Chinese made sea travel safer by improving boat construction. By the 2nd century C.E., they started building ships with separate, watertight compartments. Builders divided the ships into sections and sealed each section with caulk, a sealant that repels water. If there were a leak, it would be isolated, and the other compartments would not fill with water, keeping the ship afloat. Modern shipbuilders still use this technique. Within China, people often traveled by boat on rivers or across lakes. An innovation of a vessel called a paddlewheel boat made this type of travel much faster.In the 5th century, the Chinese adapted this idea by arranging a series of paddles in a wheel. People walked on a treadmill to turn the paddlewheel, which in turn moved through the water, moving the boat forward.The people-powered paddlewheel boats allowed the Chinese to travel much faster on rivers and lakes, and were also much easier to maneuver than other types of watercraft. People still use this type of boat for recreational activities.
The Chinese also found ways to improve bridges. For example, in 618 C.E., a Chinese engineer completed a new type of arched bridge. In Europe, Roman-designed bridges rested on arches that were halfcircles. The new Chinese bridge used arches that were a smaller part, or segment, of a circle, making the bridges broader and flatter than semicircular arches could. Called a segmental arch bridge, the new type of bridge required less material to build and was stronger, as well.
Gunpowder
The Chinese who first made gunpowder were alchemists, people who practiced a blend of science and magic known as alchemy. Alchemists experimented with mixtures of natural ingredients in an attempt to locate a substance that might allow people to become immortal. They also searched for a way to make gold out of cheaper metals. Chinese alchemists experimented with a mineral called saltpeter, which they may have believed could extend life. Perhaps by accident, they discovered that it could be used to make an explosive powder. In 850 C.E., during the Tang dynasty, alchemists recorded a formula for gunpowder but warned others to avoid it because it was extremely dangerous.
Porcelain
Some historians believe that the Chinese produced the first porcelain as early as the 1st century C.E. Porcelain is made by combining clay with the minerals quartz and feldspar, and it is then baked in a kiln, or pottery oven, at very high temperatures.
The resulting pottery is white, hard, and waterproof. Despite its sturdiness, light can still pass through porcelain, creating an appearance that is quite delicate and beautiful. By the 10th century (900-999), the Chinese were making porcelain of great artistry. Craftspeople learned how to paint pictures on porcelain and made colored glazes to decorate their work. Porcelain making became a major industry in China. Hundreds of thousands of people worked to mass-produce dishes, bowls, and vases. Some workers washed the clay, while others applied the glaze or operated the kiln. Since Europeans did not learn how to make fine porcelain until the 18th century (1700-1799), Chinese porcelain became a prized item for trade. Many people consider medieval Chinese porcelain to be the finest in the world, and people today still refer to fine porcelain dinnerware as “china.”
Tea
Historians have discovered from written accounts that the Chinese have been drinking tea since at least 2700 B.C.E. For several thousand years, tea—made by steeping tea leaves in boiling water—was drunk mostly as medicine. However, by the 8th century C.E., tea had become a hugely popular everyday beverage that was enjoyed throughout China. Tea houses had sprung up throughout the country. A famous writer, Lu Yu, wrote a book, Cha Jing (Tea Classic), describing how to cultivate, prepare, and drink tea. The drink's popularity made tea-plant cultivation a major industry, often involving an entire community.
Paper Making & Printing
Historians believe the earliest Chinese paper was probably made from hemp and then the bark of the mulberry tree. Later, the Chinese used rags. Papermaking became an important industry in China. For more than 500 years, the Chinese were the only people in the world who knew the secret of making paper. From China, knowledge of papermaking traveled
to Japan and across Central Asia. Europeans probably first learned about this art after 1100. Considering how important it is for recording and transmitting information, few inventions have been more important in history than paper. In about the 7th century (600 BCE), the Chinese invented a technique called woodblock printing. The printer first drew characters (symbols) on paper, then glued the paper to a wooden block before carving the wood around the characters. This left a raised 'stamp' on the wood. The printer covered the characters with black ink, spread paper over the block, and smoothed the paper with a brush. In the 11th century (1000 BCE), individual characters made of wood or metal were used as they could be arranged to create a variety of printing jobs. When a printing job was complete, the type could be removed from the frame and rearranged to use again.