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Of those who originated China's Four Great Inventions of the ancient world—the compass, gunpowder, papermaking and printing—only the inventor of papermaking, Cai Lun, is known. [81] Additionally, in comparison to other Chinese inventions such as the writing brush and ink , the development of paper is the best documented in literary sources.
While paper used for wrapping and padding was used in China since the 2nd century BC, [9] paper used as a writing medium only became widespread by the 3rd century. [10] However, a recent archaeological discovery has been reported from Gansu of paper with Chinese characters on it dating to 8 BC. [11]
The word "paper" is etymologically derived from papyrus, Ancient Greek for the Cyperus papyrus plant. Papyrus is a thick, paper-like material produced from the pith of the Cyperus papyrus plant which was used in ancient Egypt and other Mediterranean societies for writing long before paper was used in China.
Paper used as a writing medium had become widespread by the 3rd century [6] and, by the 6th century, toilet paper was starting to be used in China as well. [7] During the Tang dynasty (618–907 CE) paper was folded and sewn into square bags to preserve the flavour of tea, [ 3 ] while the later Song dynasty (960–1279 CE) was the first ...
[7] Using shadow clocks and the abacus (both invented in the ancient Near East before spreading to China), the Chinese were able to record observations, documenting the first recorded solar eclipse in 2137 BC, and making the first recording of any planetary grouping in 500 BC. [8] These claims, however, are highly disputed and rely on much ...
A fragment of a dharani print in Sanskrit and Chinese, c. 650–670, Tang dynasty The Great Dharani Sutra, one of the world's oldest surviving woodblock prints, c. 704-751 The intricate frontispiece of the Diamond Sutra from Tang-dynasty China, 868 AD (British Museum), the earliest extant printed text bearing a date of printing Colophon to the Diamond Sutra dating the year of printing to 868
Chariots in ancient China; China Blue High-definition Disc; China Multimedia Mobile Broadcasting; Chinese boxes; Chinese dominoes; Chinese jade; Chinese magic mirror; Chinese spoon; Chinese standard movement; Chopstick rest; Chopsticks; Churn drill; Civil service entrance examination; Coffin; Coke (fuel) Color printing; Compartment (ship ...
Toilet paper had been in general use in China since the 6th century, [42] paper bags for preserving the flavor of tea leaves by the 7th century, [42] and by the Song dynasty government officials who had done a great service were rewarded by the court with gifts of paper-printed money wrapped in paper envelopes. [42]