Useful Contributions or Inventions Created by the Ancient Chinese - Essay Example

The Chinese have invented a lot of things that are being used by the modern world today. Among these are; a. Acupuncture – the patently traditional Chinese medicinal practice of inserting needles into specific points of the body for therapeutic purposes and relieving pain. Acupuncture was first used as early 3rd to 2nd centuries BC.b. Animal zodiac – the use of zodiac signs is also a Chinese invention.

The first mention of the 12 animal zodiac signs was written on a bamboo slip dated way back to the 4th century BC. c. Civil service examination – the requirement of a candidate to pass a certain exam before assuming a government post also came from the Chinese through the Xiaolin system of the Han Dynasty (22 BC-220 AD).d. Crossbow, handheld – as opposed to popular belief, the handheld crossbow was first invented by the Chinese. Evidence of bronze crossbow bolts was already used as early as mid 5the century BC at the State of Chu in Yutaishan, Hubei. e. Exploding cannonballs – a byproduct invention of the gunpowder which was first used as early as 14th to early 15th century AD.f. Fireworks – the fireworks that we see during festivities are actually a Chinese invention it was first used in the Song Dynasty (960-1279) and is a byproduct of the invention of gunpowder (Harvey, 2011).g. Kite – the popular flying toy among kids is actually a Chinese invention.

It was first mentioned in the Mozi, where Chinese engineer Lu Ban from the State of Lu created a wooden bird that remained flying in the air for three days. h. Restaurant menu – the listing of foods that we would like to eat in a restaurant actually originated in China. It was practiced during the Song Dynasty (960 – 1279) where urban shopkeepers of the merchant middle class had little time to eat at home. They ventured to eat at places outside of their home and their demand for a variety of food gave birth to the menu. II. The four most useful contributions or inventions created by the ancient Chinese civilization are considered to be the longest continuous civilization in the world. 

Its first application, however, was not used for navigation but for divination and geomancy. It was first used by the Han Dynasty (202 BC – 220 AD) by using north-south orientation lodestone ladle-and-bowl shaped compasses.