How the world still uses ancient Chinese innovations today

This is the second in a series of science articles themed around the Winter Olympics, scheduled for Feb. 4-20 in Beijing.

China is a country that includes huge urban areas with complex industries as well as very remote areas with no modern conveniences at all.

China is also one of the oldest civilizations that still exists in the world. Its long history allowed its people to develop some pretty great innovations, many of which we still use today.

Here is just a sampling of tools and discoveries, thanks to the wisdom of the ancient Chinese people.

Lanterns

You have probably seen the glowing paper lanterns that can be released into the air and travel high up into the atmosphere. The Chinese developed these lanterns to be used during celebrations and festivals.

The lanterns work the same way a hot air balloon does. A burning candle in the bottom of the lantern heats the air inside. Hot air is less dense than cold air so that air, along with the paper lantern, is carried away. It will keep rising as long as the air inside the lantern is warmer than the surrounding air — just like a hot air balloon, clouds, etc.

Kites

You can thank the ancient Chinese for your fond memories of kite flying. Kites were originally developed for religious festivals, but then became popular toys for both kids and adults.

The kites evolved later on into large human gliders. There is a dark side to this story, though. As the gliders were developed, they used prisoners to test them. They would strap them into a glider, then release the glider off a cliff. We hope all tests were successful.

More: Why The Silver Dragon returns to China every year

Compasses

A compass takes advantage of the Earth’s magnetic field to help you determine directions while you navigate. Today, much of this is done electronically, but still using the magnetic field.

When the Chinese invented the compass, its sole purpose was to make sure they built their houses facing south, as that was believed to allow the good vibes of nature to flow through your home. A compass works by suspending a magnet which then points to the north.

Silk

This is an important one! When silkworms hatch, they spend their entire caterpillar life (six weeks) eating mulberry leaves and growing bigger. Then it is time to pupate.

Silk comes out of the body of silkworms when they spin it around themselves to form a cocoon. Each silkworm produces one strand of silk that is about 300 feet long for their cocoon. The ancient Chinese harvested the cocoons and boiled them in water to allow the threads to be unraveled.

The Chinese kept the process of silk-making secret, which allowed them to be the sole providers of it all over the world. The rest of the world paid for the silk in gold. Silk was responsible for much of the economy during this time period.

Gunpowder

Gunpowder was created by accident when ancient Chinese chemists were trying to develop a potion that would allow humans to live forever. Instead, they created this explosive mixture.

However, the Chinese used it for fireworks and not weapons. It was the Europeans that developed ways to use it for the energy required in their weapons.

More: Why ants are the unsung heroes of nature

Paper

While considered so simple now, the invention of paper was one of the most impactful inventions for humans. It was first created about 2,000 years ago by a Chinese court official. He created it by mixing bits of mulberry bark, hemp and rags with water and turning it into a thick paste. The mixture was then pressed into thin sheets and dried into paper.

Seismographs

The first modern earthquake detector (seismograph) was not made until 1848. However, the Chinese came up with their own seismograph several thousand years earlier. Their invention was far more artistic.

It consisted of a 6-foot-wide kettle with eight metal dragons on the outside. Each dragon was holding a bronze ball in its mouth. Underneath each dragon was a toad figure ready to catch the balls. If the Earth started to shake, the balls would fall from the dragon’s mouth to the toad’s mouths and create a sound to warn the people.

These are just some of the many familiar things that got started thousands of years ago in ancient China. Others include the umbrella, paper money, abacus, porcelain, boat rudders, wheelbarrow, tea, clocks, type machines, iron smelting, rockets, bronze, toothbrushes and many more.

Mike Szydlowski is science coordinator for Columbia Public Schools.

TIME FOR A POP QUIZ

1. Why wouldn’t the ancient Chinese share how to make silk with others?

2. Why did the Chinese likely not call their invention “gunpowder”?

3. What does a seismograph measure?

4. How is a hot air balloon like a cloud?

5. What must be true about a compass needle in order for it to work?

LAST WEEK’S POP QUIZ ANSWERS

1. Why does the moon have a greater gravitational force on Earth than the sun even though the sun is much larger?

Gravitational force is determined by the mass of the object but also how far away the object is. While the sun is much more massive, the moon is far closer.

2. Why do we have high and low tides every day?

Ocean water is attracted to the moon’s gravitational force, so it bulges out on the side facing the moon. At the same time, the Earth is spinning so the location of the bulge on Earth is constantly moving.

3. How is a bore tide different from a regular tide?

Tides occur every day along the ocean’s coasts. The force is spread out and so tides do not get too much attention. Bore tides occur when the tidal force travels up a river causing the energy to condense into a smaller area.

4. Why does the bore tide get much larger as it travels up the river?

As the bore tide travels up the river, the river narrows and condenses all the energy into a smaller area. This makes the wave larger.

5. Before the walls were constructed, why was it impossible to grow plants on land near the river?

The tidal wave flooded the farmlands and left behind lots of salt. That salt was toxic to the crops.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Ancient Chinese innovations include compasses, silk, gunpowder, paper