Chinese inventions
37 entries in the Chinese Inventions compendium.
History of science and technology in ChinaAncient Chinese innovations shaped global science and technology.Alkaline noodlesChinese noodles with high alkali content, yellow and elastic.Amalgam (dentistry)Mercury-based alloy used for dental fillings since the Tang dynasty.Artemether/lumefantrineFirst ACT for malaria, developed in China in 1992.ArtemisininArtemisinin is a key antimalarial drug discovered in 1972.ArtilleryRanged weapons launching munitions far beyond infantry firearms.Astronomical clockClocks displaying astronomical information beyond time of day.BackscratcherA hand tool for relieving itches in hard-to-reach places.BaguenaudierA disentanglement puzzle of uncertain origin with a mathematical solution.Bamboo and wooden slipsPrimary writing medium in China before paper's spread.Paper money seal (China)Anti-counterfeiting seal used on Chinese paper money.Baoding ballsMetal balls rotated in the hand for exercise and therapy.BellowsDevice for controlled air blast, essential in metallurgy and music.BianzhongAncient Chinese bronze chime bells used in ritual and court music.Biological pest controlUsing natural enemies to control pests, with human management.Blade batteryElongated LFP cell format with cell-to-pack architecture.Bombard (weapon)Large medieval siege cannon firing stone projectiles.BookcaseA furniture piece for storing books, from homes to libraries.BoreholeNarrow drilled shafts for resource extraction, investigation, and storage.Boring (earth)Drilling into Earth for samples, extraction, measurement, or support.Breeching (tack)A hindquarter strap used to brake or stabilize a load.Brine miningExtraction of dissolved materials from natural and industrial brines.Bulkhead (partition)Vertical partition used in ships, aircraft, and vehicles.CalipersInstruments for measuring linear dimensions with various scales and types.Candle clockCandle clocks measured time by burning marked candles.Carrot knifeA blunt plastic toy resembling a pocketknife, popular among teenagers.Cast ironIron-carbon alloy with >2% carbon, valued for castability.CeladonJade-green pottery glaze originating in China, named in Europe.CenserVessel for burning incense, used since ancient times worldwide.Chain driveA method of transmitting mechanical power using chains and sprockets.Chain pumpAncient water pump using discs on an endless chain.Chain stitchAncient looped stitch used in embroidery and machine sewing.Chariots in ancient ChinaTwo-wheeled war vehicle used in ancient China from around 1200 BCE.China Blue High-definition DiscChinese high-definition disc format derived from HD DVD.China Multimedia Mobile BroadcastingChinese mobile TV standard using satellite and terrestrial repeaters.Chinese dominoesChinese dominoes originated from dice throws and evolved into diverse games.Chinese jadeJade has been mined and carved in China since the Neolithic.
Browse Chinese inventions in the interactive codex →