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Inventions and technology essay
Inventions and technology essay
Inventions and technology essay
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Tang dynasty was an imperial dynasty of China regarded as a thrive in science and technology that culminated in the Song Dynasty, a motive to develop a Golden Age of Chinese science . These inventions in Tang dynasty, though not applicable to the modern world, somehow set a basis for all the subsequent innovations that contributes to our modern lives. When it comes to Tang dynasty, the invention of gunpowder, one of the four great inventions of Ancient China, was indeed a pride of the Chinese as well as a breakthrough of the historical world.
Before a main recognition of gunpowder’s invention attributed to the Chinese alchemy, there had been some prior burning devices such as Greek fire. Nonetheless, the dating of gunpowder is believed to be around 850 AD for argument’s sake . It was originally created by Taoist alchemist for the purpose of seeking an elixir of immortality . Gunpowder is composed of three ingredients in varying proportion, the usual being saltpeter (potassium nitrate), 75 percent, sulfur, 10 percent, and charcoal, 15 percent . At first, the recipe of gunpowder is limited to a number of
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After defeated China, they continue their conquest to India via the Silk Road and helped to facilitate more open trading between China and India. The Mongols brought out the knowledge of gunpowder from China to India, which led to the invention of firearms in India, and subsequently Mysorean rockets, the very first military rocket in the world. In the 17th century, India became one of the largest suppliers of saltpeter, a main ingredient of gunpowder, which expands and reinforced the trade connection between India and Europe. Besides, the knowledge of gunpowder also came to the Middle East through the Mongols invasion of Persia and later Egypt via the Silk Road, which promoted the innovation of military in this region as well as the trading relation between the Middle East with Europe and China
During the Tang and Song dynasty, many excellent achievements have been accomplished which are still being preserved and used widely over centuries. Their citizens were excelled in many fields with several of new and practical inventions which all directly affected the citizens’ lives.
The ancient Chinese invented many things we use today, including paper, silk, matches, wheelbarrows, gunpowder, the waterwheel, lacquer, fireworks, paper money, compass, the seismograph, folding umbrella, ink, calligraphy, printing, abacus, wallpaper, the crossbow, ice cream and much more!
Since man’s first experiences with fire we have longed to control it and we wished to will it to do our bidding. For very long we failed mostly, and we still do sometimes, but with the trials and experiments we have done and died doing, we succeed now, mostly. The first formula that is still written down of an “explosive or pyrotechnic composition” are the three examples of gunpowder in the 1044A.D. Chinese military guide Wujing Zongyao which showed a few uses of this powder they had experimented with for near a hundred years. The most used formula from it was approximately 50% KNO3, also known as Saltpeter in those times, and formally called Potassium nitrate today, ~25% S, Sulfur, and ~25% carbonaceous matter (mostly charcoal and compounds mixed with impure sulfur); the other formulas move the percentages for the KNO3 around 10-15%, S 5-10%, and carbonaceous 7-20% to adjust burn rates and usefulness in certain situations. The likely only reason gunpowder was ever invented was the Chinese’s wish to live long, and their many mixtures of elixirs, which was what gunpowder was intended to be used as (more-pyrotechnics.com). “Within 200 years China had several crude weapons, mostly huge iron or alternative metal barrels and maybe a wooden grip but with no aiming attachment. They also had very many types of fireworks using no telling how many formulae for devices ranging in size, color, and purpose. People in Europe hear of this powder and its power, and then slowly find out more“(more-pyrotechnics.com). Then by 300 years they had better arsenals, larger cannons that actually worked well, and better, lighter barrels. The Indians and Islamic nations have made use of this by now, neither surpassing China’s previous ones nor Europe’s futu...
China was without a doubt one of the most innovative countries by reason of their many advances made throughout the Shang Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty. Numerous accomplishments were archived by this empire. Their form of government was based on Dynasties, which are series of rulers from the same family. Different dynasties brought out different successes, such as the famous Great wall, which was a 13,170 miles fortress built around around 206 A.C. by millions of people. This structure was ordered to build by China’s first emperor, Qin, in the interest of protecting the Empire from invaders. Another extraordinary Chinese invention was paper. This universal utensil was created in the 2nd century B.C. by Cai Lun. The creating of this material
This can be seen in (Document H) as Kubilai Khan comes to power he starts improving many features of their empire by increasing the position and authority of the muslims in there government, as well as their being a new legal system being being put in place which reduced capital crimes by half. Also establishing postal stations in china for easier communication. In (Document I) it demonstrates the postal services which were established by the mongols which also brought the Silk road back and they made it safer in many ways allowing them to travel and trade without any disturbance throughout the transaction. Finally in ( Document J) it portrays the achievements in the commerce area. Them being the improvement of canals being built and helping the transportation, as well as the Pax Mongolica protecting part of helping the tax-free custom zones
The Chinese invented the earliest gunpowder-based weapon when they discovered the great potential for using gunpowder in warfare. The Chinese military focused on outsmarting and surprising their enemies with any possible ways. Therefore, fire was used in warfare because it caused great fear and confusion amongst their enemies. To improve their strategies and efficiency in sieging their enemies, Chinese military engineers experimented with gunpowder towards the first millennial. They found that gunpowder in bamboo tubes can propel themselves just with the pressure from the released gas and generally created loud noises and fire. The Wujing Zongyao, a military manual written in 1044 CE by Zeng Gongliang and Ding Du records the fundamental composition of gunpowder (see appendix 1), the process of producing it in large scales, and illustrations with descriptions of the different types of the earliest gunpowder-based weapons (see appendix 2 & 3) such as barbed arrows propelled by gunpowder and different types of bombs. During the 13th century, The Chinese military embraced the applications of gunpowder weapons and used it to prevent the Mongols from seizing parts of the Great Wall on the Northern side of China. The weapons that the Chinese had used include small bundles of gunpowder that would be wrapped in bamboo or paper and were fixed to arrows ignited with a fuse, gunpowder mixed
The Tang dynasty was founded in 618, and lasted until 907. The emperor was supreme and government officials were chosen by examination. A census was taken to simplify tax collection and to draft citizens to perform labor for the empire. This was a period of great land expansion. (Halsall, 1998) The emperor also had a great love of the arts, and the Tang became known as the golden age of literature and art. Block printing was invented and made writing more available. (Unknown, 2003) Shipbuilding and firearms development were also refined during the era. Art was heavily influenced by Buddhism, especially rock sculpture. One major problem that arose was the heavy burden of taxation. Many were unable to meet their heavy tax burden. To escape this, many placed themselves under the protection of great landlords who were exempt from taxes, or became bandits. (Halsall, 1998)
The Tang Dynasty (618 -907 A.D), also known as China’s glorious revelation, was a time of major change both politically and economically in the Chinese Empire. During this time period, trade became greater than ever. The military power strengthened. The population also increased during this time period from fifty million to eighty million in just two centuries with its large population base, the dynasty was able to raise professional and conscripted armies of hundreds of thousands of troops to contend with nomadic powers in dominating Inter Asia. The Tang also has a strong influence on its neighboring states such as Korea (which was at the time made if of three kingdoms) and Japan. During this time period the Silk Road expanded and trade
In Document 1,2, 3, and 4 the Han dynasty is shown making things and inventing things for their citizens to use. During this time period the Han dynasty was described as the Golden Age in China. Confucianism gave a new way to life. The Historical context is that during this time period when the Yellow river flooded the crops and trade would be put to a stop.
This week I found the history of black powder and the video the most interesting part of the week. I have always heard the Chinese were the first to discover black powder, but the text does not discuses the Chinese at all. According to our text “Accuracy and Functionality”, author unknown, Roger Bacon is the first to record a gunpowder formula in 1248. Bacon later made reference to gunpowder in his published works “Opus, Tertium”, “De Secretis”, and “Opus Majus” around 1270. His publications confirmed he was well acquainted with explosive mixtures of sulfur, charcoal, and niter (saltpeter). Notes revealed Bacon mixture was several parts saltpeter, five parts sulfur, and five parts hazel twigs. Berthold Schwartz, a monk of Freiburg, Germany, studied the Bacon's writings and conducted extensive experiments with gunpowder. Some believe Schwartz is the inventor since he made the properties
With the development of the Gunpowder Empires came the development of improvements in mining, metallurgy, and technology. As well, the use of guns and cannons allowed the empires to create and supply a strong standing army. These developments allowed for improvement and centralization of bureaucracy in all empires. However, this is the end of similarities between the empires. The most successful empire in utilizing gunpowder was the Ottomans; mainly due to two consecutive leaders, Selim the Inexorable (r. 1512-20) and Suleyman the Magnificent (r. 1520-66). The Ottomans differed...
The cannon has been around for hundreds of years. First used in China the cannon was a gunpowder
Today we can look around ourselves and see thousands of technical innovations that make life easier; But if we take a step back and ask ourselves “How?” we will soon realize that most often, these technological advancements did not just “poof” into existence, but are usually the outcome of building upon yesterday’s technology. If we follow this cycle back into time, we can attribute almost any modern day invention to an ancient civilization during its golden age. China was no exception. China’s Song and Tang dynasties fostered scientific advances comparable to Rome’s during its Pax Romana. The most significant and impacting of these were the development of primitive gunpowder and porcelain of the Tang and paper money, and the magnetic compass of the Song Dynasties. Although these may seem very far off, if you look hard enough, you can see traces of their impacts in society today because most of the advancements today we owe to them.
The Tang and Song Dynasties are both pertinent to China’s development. During the Tang period, which is also considered the “Golden Age”, art and literature was embraced and thrived. During the Song Dynasties, many technical inventions allowed China to grow as a nation, and emerge as one of the greatest nations in the medieval world. Both dynasties played a key role in the history of China.
The Ming Dynasty had created an empire. They had the government, the military, and the economic system to prove it. At different points in time, The Chinese Empire was the greatest in the world, for trade, military, and other key factors in a society.