China is the longest continuous civilization that still exists today. The U.S. State Department reveals ancient China dates back to 3,500 BCE. Eventually the country grew into a series of independent states before being unified against Mongol hordes.
Despite such a long history, there are many inventions created in China that are still used today.
Gunpowder
The use of gunpowder was recorded a few times between 300 and 650 CE, according to ChinaCulture.org. The Tang Dynasty took gunpowder to new levels with exploding bombs hurled by catapults around 618 to 907 CE. Later texts written in 850 CE warned of mixtures of gunpowder that were too powerful to use and were labeled dangerous.
Every time someone shoots a gun in modern society they are using ancient Chinese technology. When sulfur, charcoal and potassium nitrate are mixed together properly, they form a potent explosive powder capable of move projectiles at supersonic speeds.
Paper
Egyptians invented and perfect scrolls of papyrus made from the reeds of plants along the Nile River. But it was the Chinese who invented paper made from wood pulp. The Society for Anglo-Chinese Understanding states wood pulp paper was originally thought to have been invented by Chai Lun in the 2nd Century. More recent archaeological finds put papermaking two hundred years earlier. Lun made his paper by boiling wood and rope to get the pulp to rise to the top.
Paper is made in bulk using the same basic processes today. When we read newspapers or print a report from a computer, it’s all because of a Chinese invention nearly 2,000 years old.
Noodles
National Geographic reports the earliest instance of grain noodles was found at a site in northwestern China in 2005. Made from millet, a bowl of long, thin noodle was discovered in Lajia. The noodles are believed to be 4,000 years old. They were buried under 10 feet of sediment.
Noodles are staple foods in Italian spaghetti and in Chinese buffets across the United States. The pasta originated in China before making its way into Italian cuisine.
Compass
The Smith College Museum of Ancient Inventions states the compass was first invented in China around 200 BCE. Its original intent was to locate the best places for burials and tombs. A lodestone bowl was placed on a heavy bronze plate. The metal spoon would rotate on the bronze plate.
Today, compasses are much smaller but work on the same principles. Small metal needles continually point north while markings surrounding the needle can be moved to point in a certain direction. Without ancient Chinese compasses, we’d be lost today!
Fork
The China International Publishing Group reported on a unique find in a Chinese tomb in April 2010. A knife and fork were found in the tomb of China’s first emperor, Qin Shihuang. The utensils were dated to around 210 BCE, a full 400 years before ancient Romans used forks. It was the earliest known fork found at an archaeological site.
Americans use forks all the time in today’s world. Next time a piece of steak is pierced with a four-pronged eating utensil, remember the Chinese had the first forks even though commoners were using chopsticks for 1,000 years before the fork’s invention.
