computersmiths' History of Chinese Invention and Discovery

Timeline adapted primarily from observations as published Robert Temple and Joseph Needham. Dates on Timeline indicate technology developing in China, and the approximations of discovery in Western civilization refer to some form of the invention observed later.

1.6 Million BC	Yuanmou Man	Earliest human findings in China. Stone tools and use of fire. Human origins in Asia and Africa?
700,000 -500,000	Yuanmou Man, Lantian Man, Peking Man (Zhoukoudian)
20,000 -15,000	Upper Cave Man
5,000 BCE	YangShao Culture	Farming villages in the Yellow River valleys, painted pottery.
2,500 BCE	LongShan Culture	East China and Central River valleys. Wheel-made pottery, divination and ancestral worship. Lacquer, the first plastic (about 4th century BCE) - about 3000 years later developed process of "japanning" in Western civilization
3000 -2205 BCE	Three Rulers & Five Emperors	Mythical rulers, credited with inventing farming, building, medicine, silk culture.
2205 -1766 BCE	Xia Dynasty	China's legendary first dynasty. Emperor Yu is credited with flood control and irrigation systems.
1766 -~1100 BCE	Shang Dynasty	First verifiable dynasty. Ritual bronze vessels and "oracle bones" calligraphy. Evidence of a relatively sophisticated medical system using acupuncture needles and medical observations. Decimal place system (14th century BCE) - 2300 years later in Western civilization
~1100 -256 BCE	Zhou Dynasty	Western Zhou later cited as a model period. Capital city near Xian. Confucius born in 551 BCE. Flowering in classical literature, arts, and philosophy; Confucianism, Daoism. Laozi and Zhuangzi lived around this period. Internal alchemy, meditation, and breathing techniques developed. The first transportation canals were built. Chemical warfare: poison gas, smoke bombs, tear gas - 2300 years later in Western civilization Monetary coins - several hundred years later in Western civilization 6th century BCE Row cultivation of crops and intensive hoeing - 2200 years later in Western civilization Iron plow - about 2000 years later in Western civilization Blood circulation studied - refined 1800 years later in Western civilization The large tuned bell developed - 2500 years later in Western civilization 5th century BCE Spouting bowls and standing waves experimentation. Geobotanical prospecting - 2100 years later in Western civilization The kite - about 2000 years later in Western civilization 4th century BCE The trace efficient horse harness - 500 years later in Western civilization Double-acting piston bellows, air and liquid - 1900-2100 years later in Western civilization Petroleum and natural gas as fuel - 2300 years later in Western civilization A place for zero in math - about 600 years later in Indian Bakhshali manuscript The first compass- 1500 years later in Western civilization The First Law of Motion- 1300 years later in Western civilization (but 2000 to Newton) Manned flight with kites - 1650 years later in Western civilization War technology The crossbow- Centuries later in Western civilization
770 -256 BCE	Eastern Zhou
722 -481 BCE	Spring and Autumn
403 -221 BCE	Warring States
221 -206 BCE	Qin Dynasty	Unification of China under Emperor Qin Shi Huang. Four State walls are joined to form the Great Wall. Palace and mausoleum near Xian, standardization of weights, measures, calligraphy. Emperor Qin Shi Huang creates burial pit city including thousands of full-size clay soldier statues (Terracotta warriors).
206 BCE -220 CE	Han Dynasty	Capitals at Changan and Luoyang rivals that of Rome. Buddhism enters China from India. Confucian civil service institutionalized. 2nd century BCE Paper invented - 1400 years later in Western civilization Agricultural innovations The rotary winnowing fan - 2000 years later in the West The multi-tube seed drill - 1800 years later in the West Engineering - Crank handle - 1100 years later in the West Gimbals, or Cardan suspension - 1100 years later in the West Manufacture of steel from cast iron - 2000 years later in the West Experimental science of endocrinology - 2000 years later in the West Hexagonal structure of snowflakes - 1800 years later in the West Parachute - 2000 years later in the West Miniature hot-air balloons - 1400 years later in the West Tuned drums - 2000 years later in the West 1st century BCE Zhang Qian journeyed to the Western Regions, pioneering the world-famous Silk Road. Deep drilling for natural gas - 1900 years later in the West Belt drive - 1400-1800 years later in the West Wheelbarrow - 1300 years later in the West Sliding calipers - 1700 years later in the West Hermetically sealed labs - bout 2000 years later in the West 1st century CE Water power - 1200 years later in the West Chain pump - 1400 years later in the West Suspension bridge - 1800 years later in the West The rudder - 1100 years later in the West Seismograph (130 CE) - 1400 years later in the West
206 BCE -9 CE	Western Han
25-220 CE	Hou Han Later or Eastern Han
220-280	San Kuo (Three Kingdoms) Wei, Shu-Han, Wu	Han generals divide empire. This period is romanticized as a time of chivalry and heroism in later literature. 2nd century CE Recognition of sunspots as solar phenomena - 1300 years later in Western civilization The "magic lantern" - duplicated 1800 years later in Western civilization "Modern" geology - 1500 years later in Western civilization Batten sails - staggered masts - not adopted in Western civilization Multiple masts - fore and aft rigs - 1200 years later in Western civilization Watertight compartments in ships - 1700 years later in Western civilization
265-317 CE	Western Chin (Jin)	China briefly united under one Emperor. Capitals at Luoyang, Changan. 3rd century CE Cybernetic machine (south facing carriage) - 1600 years later in Western civilization Fishing reel - 1400 years later in Western civilization Stirrup - 300 years later in Western civilization Porcelain - 1700 years later in Western civilization Biological pest control - 1600 years later in Western civilization Deficiency diseases - 1600 years later in Western civilization Algebra used in geometry - 1000 years later in Western civilization Refined value of pi - 1200 years later in Western civilization Dial and pointer devices - 1200 years later in Western civilization Understanding of musical timbre - 1600 years later in Western civilization
317-420	Eastern Chin (Jin)	4th century CE Umbrella - 1200 years later in Western civilization Helicopter rotor and propeller - 1000 years later in Western civilization
420-479	(Liu) Sung
479-581 CE	Southern and Northern Dynasties	5th century CE Essentials of steam engine - 1200 years later in Western civilization "Magic mirrors" - 1500 years later in Western civilization Co-fusion steel process - 1300 years later in Western civilization Paddle-wheel boat - 1000 years later in Western civilization Succession of numerous dynasties, including 24 short-lived ones, on the north and south sides of the Yangtze. Developing period for Buddhism. Cave temples at Dunhuang, Yungang, and Longmen.
386-535	Northern Wei
535-556	Western Wei	Bohidarma arrives in China. Zen Buddhism develops. Shaolin Monastery built and Shaolin Kung Fu (wushu) flourishes.
534-550	Eastern Wei	Turkic invaders from central Asia invade north; drive Xiongnu Mongols north and east into western Asia; establish Toba-Wei kingdom.
550-577	Northern Ch'i
557-581	Northern Chou

581-618 CE	Sui Dynasty	Golden Age of China North conquers south and unites China. The Grand Canal is built. The capital is established at Changan. 6th century CE Discovery of the solar wind - 1400 years later in Western civilization Segmental arch bridge - 500 years later in Western civilization Matches - 1000 years later in Western civilization Chess - 500 years later in Western civilization Land sailing - 1050 years later in Western civilization Diabetes discovered by urine analysis - 1000 years later in the West
618-907	Tang Dynasty	The Heavenly Khan Scholarship and the Arts flourish. Rudimentary Mechanical clock - Some 500 years later in West (extended to true kinematic measurement) Sailing: leeboards - 700 years later in the West Block printing is invented in 8th century - 700 years later in the West Playing cards - 500 years later in the West Paper money, banknotes 806 CE - 850 years later in the West Magnetic declination - 600 years later in the West War technology Gunpowder invented - some 300 years later in the West, about 1303 The silk road trade to Europe thrives.
907-960	Five Dynasties (North) and Ten Kingdoms (South)	A period of war and fragmentation, as North and South divides into smaller kingdoms.
960-1279	Song Dynasty	Chain drive - 800 years later in the West Canal pound-lock - 400 years later in the West Mercator map projection - 600 years later in the West Phosphorescent paint - 700 years later in the West Immunology (isolated vacinations)- developed 800 years later in the West War technology Flares and fireworks - 250 years later in the West "Soft" bombs and grenades - 400 years later in the West Movable type printing is invented in 1045 - adapted and enhanced 400 years later in the West High culture develops. Painting, poetry, calligraphy becomes mainstream. Military powers decline. The Jin invade the North, the Song moves capital from Kaifeng to Hangzhou.
960-1127	Northern Song
1127-1279	Southern Song
1279-1368	Yuan Dynasty (Mongol)	Kublai Khan conquers China. A new capital is established at Beijing and the Grand Canal is extended to supply the capital. Marco Polo visits and ignites Sino-trade enthusiasm. War technology Bursting shells and mines - 250 years later in the West
1360		Zhang Sanfeng (Chang Sanfeng) travels to Wudang Mountains and is generally credited with inventing the 13 postures of Taijiquan (T'ai Chi Ch'uan).
1368-1644	Ming Dynasty	Mongols are defeated. Strong Emperors bring about a prosperous era. Building of the Forbidden City and Imperial Tombs. Arrival of Jesuits. Changan city changes its name to Xian. Medicine and Health Bristle toothbrush 1498- almost 300 years later in the West
1644-1911	Qing Dynasty (Manchu)	Han People are subjugated by the Manchus. The neglected Forbidden City is restored and the Summer Palace is rebuilt.
1839-1842		Foreign trade pressures leads to the Opium War.
1850-1864		Taiping Rebellion in the south. Anti-Qing revolt is inspired by mixture of Chinese and Christian ideas.
1858-1860		Anglo-French invasions at Canton, Tianjin. Foreign troops destroy the Summer Palace near Peking.
1894-1895		Sino-Japanese War. Japan dominates Korea and Taiwan
1900		Anti-foreign Boxer Rebellion is suppressed by foreign troops. Qing court flees and Westerners occupy Peking.
1911-1949	Republic of China	1911 Revolution. China attempts democratic government.
1912		Sun Yat-Sen briefly serves as China's first president. Kuomintang (KMT) or Nationalist party is formed.
1916		Warlord period begins.
1921		Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is founded)
1926-1927		Joint KMT-CCP expedition against warlords has limited success, but causes a hostile division of the country.
1934-1935		Long march of the Communists to the northwest.
1937-1945		Second Sino-Japanese War. KMT is led by Chiang Kai-shek, joining with the CCP, led by Mao Tse Tung. American military aids during World War II. Japan surrenders.
1946-1949		Civil war erupts between the KMT and the CCP. KMT and millions of citizens flee China for Formosa (Taiwan), USA, Canada and other sanctuaries.
1949-	People's Republic of China	Mao Tse Tung leads the PRC as it turns inwards from the world.
1966-1976		Cultural Revolution, political campaign to rekindle revolutionary spirit.
1976-present		Evolution towards increase in democracy and capitalism.

History of Chinese Invention and Discovery

The West's Debt to China?