The history of science and technology in China is both long and rich with many contributions to science and technology. Science inChina has a long history and developed quite independently of Western science. The Chinese contribution to Western science is particularly interesting because it serves as a center of controversy about the roots of Western science. In technologically development, there have been many Western innovations that have their basis in China, particularly those in printing (paper, block printing, and moveable-type printing), agricultural technology (irrigation systems), mechanical engineering (clockwork, iron, and lead manufacturing, efficient harnesses), and martial (gunpowder, the precursors to the barrel gun, and cannons) technology.  I will discuss the contributions ofChina to the history of technology by focusing on a few key innovations. 

The first major invention is paper and printing technology. We don't know exactly when paper was first used in China but evidences from archaeological records indicate that it was prior to the first century AD.  In China, the most common source for paper was the bark of the paper mulberry tree according to 2 scientists namely Gies and Gies. Paper is made by tearing up rags, or the bark of trees or certain grasses and putting them into a large pot with water. The mixture is boiled and the pulp-like mass that lies at the bottom is removed, strained and spread out to dry. Originally, paper was rough but, eventually over time, the making of paper was improved with sizing, dyes, and the use of molds made out of bamboo strips. Paper was first used by the Chinese for wrapping and it was not until the 3rd century that paper replaced bamboo, silk, and wood as a writing medium.

But writing was not the only use for paper. The Chinese began using paper, made from rice straw, for toilet purposes in the sixth century, AD. Also, the Chinese began to have a paper currency in the early 9th century.

A second technology developed in China was printing. The Chinese began to use wood block printing in the 7th century where the text is carved into the wood blocks which are then inked. A blank sheet of paper is placed over the inked block so that the image can be transferred to the paper. 

Moveable type was also invented by the Chinese in the 11th century. A Chinese artisan named Pi Sheng created characters out of clay which he fixed to an iron plate with pine resin, wax, and ashes. After the plate cooled, he inked it and printed. But, since the characters were only attached with wax and resin, one could heat the iron plate to remove the characters--therefore, this was removable type. Metal movable type was first created in Korea in the 15th century. After this, printing found its way to Europe.

The third key innovation is Gunpowder.

There is no doubt that the Chinese invented gunpowder. The ways in which they used it and how their use of gunpowder differed from the West has been debated.  The first known recipe for saltpeter, the principal ingredient of gunpowder, can be found in a Chinese military manual written by Wu Ching Tsung Yao from 1044.  This military manual also gave directions for making bomb using gunpowder so most historians believe that bombs or grenades were used by Chinese troops from before the 11th century.  And, although the Chinese did use gunpowder in fireworks for religious purposes, they also used gunpowder in cannons, rockets, and guns. Rocket arrows were used in 1126 to defend the city ofKaifengwhich was the capital of the Sung Empire. 

Gunpowder and rockets were transferred to Europein the 13th century. The first mention of gunpowder in Europewas in a 1268 essay by Roger Bacon, the famous English scientist and philosopher.

Even though we are not certain how the recipe for gunpowder arrived inEngland; by the mid-14th century, this knowledge appeared to be widespread. In 1331, cannons were by German knights used to capture a town inItaly, Cividale and Edward III brought at least twenty guns and gunpowder with him in his siege ofCalaisin 1346. In any case, by 1418, the city ofGhentwas ordering 7200 cast iron cannonballs. In an age of warfare, this new technology was exploited to the fullest by Europeans.

The next major innovation of China is the Compass.

The ability to magnetize iron by placing it near a loadstone was known to ancient civilizations. But, it was the Chinese who applied this principle of magnetism to create the compass.  The oldest picture of a magnetic compass, from 200 BC, was using a small spoon as the needle that was thrown down upon a table that was engraved with the compass points. These early compasses were used in divination rather than in navigation. In the Han dynasty (202 BC-AD 220), the "south-pointer" was used by travelers inChina(the earliest Chinese compasses, called south-pointers, pointed south rather than north).

The next significant development was the use of a magnetized needle that was floated in a bowl of water on a piece of wood or suspended by a silk thread--these compasses were used by the 8th century inChina. And, Chinese sailors used the compass for navigation by the 11th century.  At this time during the 12th through 15th centuries,Chinadeveloped the largest navy and was the greatest sea power in the world. As just one example of the size of this navy, Kublai Khan attempted an invasion ofJapanin 1281 with a fleet of a considerable number of ships. It is obvious that any technology that assisted in navigation would be greatly appreciated. As with other innovations, the compass was transferred toEuropeby the end of the 12th century.