Medieval Chinese Inventions
-Top 3 most influential-
Gunpowder
Gunpowder was first discovered by Chinese alchemists, perhaps by accident. It influenced Europe and many other countries and changed the way wars would be fought forever. The Chinese invented many other weapons using gunpowder such as: the flamethrower, artillery shells, grenades, large bombs, rifles, and cannons.
Compass
The Chinese developed the compass in the 3rd century B.C.E. They rubbed a piece of lodestone, a magnetic mineral on a needle and inside the compass the needle would point in a north-south direction. Compasses are used all around the world for many different reasons today from hiking to long voyages at sea. Without the compass, we would be lost!
Paper Money
Before paper money was invented early in the 9th century, coins were the only form of currency available to the Chinese. Paper money was printed using many wood blocks and it was full of many colors. Paper money is used everywhere and it is the most popular form of currency in the world. If the Chinese hadn't invented paper money, we would be stuck using coins!