Ancient Chinese Invention

The Chinese were the first to make gunpowder, invent the magnetic compass and give to the world the art of making paper. About 2000 years ago, the Chinese made gunpowder by mixing sulphur and saltpeter. The mixture exploded when set on fire. The Chinese were the first to find out the fact that a narrow magnet floating in a bowl of water would always point to the North. This discovery led to the invention of the magnetic compass. This device helped the sailors to find out the direction when they were out of sight of land on high seas. Soon the device reached the Arabs and the Europeans. Using this compass, great explorers like Columbus, Magellan and Vasco da Gama made their historic discoveries. The Chinese invented the art of making paper during the second century. Soon the art of making paper using vegetable pulp reached Arabia, Spain and Europe. In course of time, paper factories came into existence. The fourth invention of the Chinese was the art of printing. Before this invention, books were written by hand. The Chinese invented the art of printing with moveable types. With this invention reading and learning became open to ordinary people as they were able to print the books in large numbers.