Paper currency:
Paper currency was first introduced by the Chinese, and is now used widely in most countries. The earliest documentation of this invention is in the 800 BC.
Row crops:
Crops were first planted in rows around sixth century BC, which allows them to grow faster and larger. In addition, the wind will hit the perfectly straight rows and roll gently through.
Deep drilling for gas:
A technique developed in 100 BC is still used today, known as deep drilling for gas. The devices that were used were remarkably large and well crafted for the time. This technique has given many Americans jobs in the past and present, and is responsible for a considerable amount of America’s income.
Fireworks:
Fireworks were invented by the Chinese as entertainment, but were later used to scare off enemies in times of war. Today, we use fireworks to celebrate our independence. It is cool that this seventeenth century BC technique is still practiced and enjoyed today.
Gun powder:
Gun powder wasn’t designed first for war uses, but as elixir for immortality. Unfortunately for the Chinese, the only thing that gun powder did was explode. The invention of this made wars less gruesome and painful. Instead of dying slowly by a fatal sword wound, a shot takes toll immediately. Imagine, an America where all the soldiers bear swords… Gun powder’s date is unknown, but it is assumed that it was invented around the same time as fireworks.
Flame thrower:
What pyromaniac nut invented this contraption!?! Invented in the tenth century BC, the flame thrower was a great invention that has a variation used widely today. A torch or welder (following the same basic principles of a flame thrower) is used to weld metals together, and is very important in building large sturdy structures.
Parachute:
Nothing like jumping off high objects, huh? I guess even the Chinese had to get their kicks somehow. The invention of the parachute is used widely today, both for recreational, and government uses. When important and sensitive satellites are entering the orbit, they are in a freefall, but once they get to a certain point they deploy a sturdy parachute to allow them to drift to the ground harmlessly. First documentation of the parachute was in 90 BC, but it is assumed to be around in second century BC.
Rudder:
The rudder helps with turning a boat or in recent years, a plane. Before the invention of the rudder, boats had to rely on oars to turn, which required a lot of unnecessary time and energy. Now, planes (which cannot be steered by oar) are possible, and are used widely for both recreational and work. It is unknown when the rudder was invented.
The wheelbarrow:
What would life be without the wheelbarrow? When working, you could carry 200+ of weight in a wheelbarrow, while you could only carry half of that. The Chinese’s building process was dramatically sped up because of this useful invention. The wheelbarrow emerged in first century BC.
Compass:
The compass is one of the most useful inventions by the Chinese, used widely in planes, boats, and in the wilderness to find direction. Many times when you lose your bearings, just consult the compass and you’re on your way. Invention date is unknown.
1. What would ancient chinese have been drilling for in 100BC, the date seem ludicrous for drilling, I can't image what they would have used for drill bits or the shaft to turn thre bit that deep.
2. row crops, since fields of crops leave no archeological evidence, who can say if they had row crops in ancient mesopotamia or egypt or some other agricultural civilization
3. Rudder, if it is unknown when the rudder was invented then how do we know it was the chinese?