History Essay Samples

Unfolding the Wisdom: An Essay Sample on Ancient Chinese Contributions

Today’s world is developing people’s common global culture. Every country contributes a unique aspect of its culture. Chinese culture was one of the most important cultures that influenced the evolution of human civilization. The history of this country is very rich and glorious. Its citizens were very inventive. The ancient Chinese created numerous useful items and devices, as well as numerous inventions. They had a great impact on the lives of every person. Ancient China was a leader in science and technology. This country gave birth to many scientific and technological inventions and led the world in these innovations for many centuries.

The most significant and beneficial contributions the Chinese made to modern people’s lives were: paper, the abacus, gunpowder, the printing press, umbrellas, clocks, the compass, porcelain, maps, wheelbarrows, and silk. Chinese made major developments “in farming, iron and copper metallurgy, exploitation of coal and petroleum, machinery, medicine, astronomy, mathematics, porcelain, silk, and winemaking” (Yinke, 2011). It is essential to highlight four of the most significant inventions made by the Chinese civilization. They are the inventions of paper and printing, gunpowder, magnetic compasses, and silk.

Among all the inventions of the ancient world, only a few may be compared in significance with the invention of paper and printing by the ancient Chinese. Before the Chinese began using paper for writing at the beginning of the Christian era, they selected various hard and soft materials for documents, historical records, and personal correspondence (Needham, 1985). The Chinese made them from bones of animals, shells, bronze, iron, gold, and silver. Cai Lun invented paper sometime before the Christian era. The ancient Chinese made paper by hand, mostly using natural resources. Paper made of hemp had already been in use before Cai Lun, but he improved both the techniques and its quality while using various materials, such as tree bark, hemp, and rags (Sayre, 2011). By the seventh century A.D., the Chinese invented the first printing press. The movable type appeared later. Chinese made it of wood, metal, and a variety of ceramics. Europe was largely unaware of printing at that time. Paper and printing originated in China, and it was only later that the Chinese spread this technology worldwide. The importance of the invention of paper and printing is obvious. Although new means of communication have developed recently, the unique combination of ink, paper, and printing is still the most basic, important, permanent, and accessible communication device known today.

The invention of gunpowder is also of great importance. An interesting fact is that the invention of gunpowder was an accident. Chinese alchemists sought to create an elixir of immortality. They mixed sulfur, saltpeter, and charcoal, and by accident, created a powder for use in weapons. The invention of gunpowder dates back to the 9th century A.D., during the Song dynasty’s reign. Firstly, people used it as fireworks, and only later did the Chinese begin to use gunpowder in wars. The ancient Chinese used gunpowder in cannons, guns, and rockets. People invented gunpowder to have an immortal life, but it is the cause of people’s deaths. Still, gunpowder is one of the most important inventions that have changed methods of war and warfare.

The magnetic compass is another very important invention in the history of humanity. The first compass ever created was a spoon made of lodestone put on a bronze plate, and the tail of the spoon (the handle) always pointed to the South (Nguyen). The ancient Chinese designed a compass not for navigation, but rather for harmonization and order in their lives. First Chinese compasses pointed to the South, but Europeans used compasses that pointed to the North. So, Europeans also invented the compass, but some time later than the Chinese. The compass is a vital device that has significantly impacted people’s lives. While traveling, knowing what direction a person is facing is very important. Compass makes it easier to navigate through the oceans to find a ship’s way to land, helps people find their way home, and allows exploration of other continents and countries. To sum up, the compass is a very useful invention, and with the help of a compass, one can navigate their way and that of different vehicles.

Finally, the fourth most important invention is silk. For many centuries, Europeans knew little about silk and the people who discovered it. According to the legend, the wife of the Chinese Emperor, Leizu, discovered silk. She found a silkworm that made a fine thread. Silk was very valuable in Ancient China. Silk cloth was the symbol of status. The Chinese used silk for clothing, paper, fishing lines, musical instruments, and painting.

In some cases, it was used as a currency. The discovery of silk was very important in the history of human civilization because people had used clothing made of birds for many centuries before. The invention of silk profoundly influenced Chinese culture and the global economy.

To summarize, the Ancient Chinese made significant contributions to the history of human civilization. They invented many devices. Among the most useful are: paper, compass, gunpowder, and silk. The Chinese invented writing independently, without any knowledge of developments elsewhere in the world, and the art of writing – or calligraphy – is highly regarded (Allan, 2012). To my mind, the invention of paper is the most important event. If we did not have paper, we would be unable to save and store written communications, and perhaps, many of us would be illiterate. Books printed many centuries ago are still in good condition. The Chinese invented paper many centuries ago, but we still use it daily. With the invention of paper and printing, the Chinese had a profound influence on the world’s development.

📎 References:

1. Allan, T. & Phillips, C. (2012). Ancient China’s myths and beliefs. New York, NY: The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
2. Yinka, D. (2011). Ancient Chinese inventions. (3rd ed., p. 162). New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.
3. Needham, J. (1985). Science and civilization in China. (p. 485). New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.
4. Nguyen, D. (n.d.). The invention of the compass. Retrieved from http://www.culture-4-travel.com/invention-of-the-compass.html
5. Sayre, H. (2011). The humanities: culture, continuity, and change. (Vol. 1, p. 673). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.