The medieval Chinese of the Song dynasty invent toilet paper
The first documented use of toilet paper in human history dates back to the 6th century C.E., in early medieval China.
Technology & innovation
Zhang Heng invents the seisometer
A seismometer or seismoscope is an instrument that detects and measures the motions of the ground as a result of seismic waves gushing from an earthquake, volcanic eruption or powerful explosion.
The Chinese of the Han Dynasty invent the wheelbarrow
The earliest wheelbarrows with archaeological evidence in the form of a one-wheel cart come from second century Han Dynasty Emperor Hui’s tomb murals and brick tomb reliefs.
Humans invent glassblowing, perhaps in modern-day Iran
The earliest evidence of glassblowing was found in Chogha Zanbil, where many glass bottles were found in the excavations of the 2nd millennium B.C.E. site
The ancient Chinese invent the multi-tube seed drill
This multi-tube seed drill has been credited with giving China an efficient food production system that allowed it to support its large population for millennia.
Paper is invented in modern-day China
The oldest known archaeological fragments of the immediate precursor to modern paper date to the 2nd century B.C.E. in China.
The astrolabe is invented, perhaps by the Appolonius of Perga in Greece
An astrolabe is an elaborate inclinometer, historically used by astronomers and navigators to measure the inclined position in the sky of a celestial body, day or night.
Construction begins on the Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China is an ancient series of walls and fortifications, totaling more than 13,000 miles in length, located in northern China. Perhaps the most recognizable symbol of China and its long and vivid history, the Great Wall was originally conceived by Emperor Qin Shi Huang in the third century B.C. as a means of preventing incursions from barbarian nomads. To this day, construction of the “Wan Li Chang Cheng,” or 10,000-Li-Long Wall, is one of the most ambitious building projects ever undertaken by any civilization.
Early Scandinavians invent the longship
Originally invented and used by the Vikings for commerce, exploration, and warfare, many of the longship’s characteristics were adopted by other cultures.
Humans of the Zhou dynasty in modern-day China invent the gear
Gears almost always produce a change in torque, creating a mechanical advantage, through their gear ratio, and thus may be considered a simple machine.