Intellectual Developments & Technology

Intellectual Developments &Technology

The Han dynasty inventions were some of the greatest contributions not only in the Chinese society but even across the globe. Some of the lesser known innovations developed during this period include the creation of the wheelbarrow and the seismograph. Stirrups were also believed to have been used first during this time. The first and perhaps the most popular is the invention of the paper making process during the Han dynasty. Although historians claim that the oldest piece of wrapping paper can be traced back to the Chinese during the 2nd BCE, the process of making paper was invented during the Han period. The eunuch Cai Lun was credited for this invention. His process used mulberry bark as the main ingredient. The invention of cast iron tools can also be credited to the people of the Han dynasty. This resulted in vastly improved weapons, tools and domestic wares. More importantly, it paved the way for the creation of new agricultural tools which in turn helped increase the agricultural tax revenue of the empire. Also the Han dynasty, credited for inventing the loom, set the tone for silk weaving during that era. It was because of their invention that silk could be marketed as an expensive piece of article. Their science of weaving also paved the way for the creation of the Silk Road. This meant increased revenue for the people of the Han dynasty.The Han dynasty inventions are solid proof of the intellectual prowess of the Han dynasty people.

Works Cited:

Invention of Paper in China. 2007. Photograph. History of ChinaWeb. 7 Oct 2012. <http://www.history-of-china.com/han-dynasty/invention-of-paper.html>.