The compass is one of the most important inventions in human history. It enabled sailors and explorers to travel the globe and discover new lands. Although early magnetic devices for the purpose of pointing south are known to have been used in ancient China dating back to the Han dynasty, it was during the Song Dynasty (960–1279 AD) that the first true compasses which utilized a magnetized needle rotating freely on an axle appeared in China.
2. Paper
The invention of paper brought a portable and durable material for writing on. It was invented by Cai Lun, a Chinese eunuch and court official under Emperor He of the Eastern Han dynasty, around 105 AD. He made paper from tree barks, hemp waste, and old fishnets, and then refined it by pressing and drying it.
3. Gunpowder
Gunpowder, a mixture of sulfur, charcoal, and potassium nitrate, was originally invented in China during the 9th century AD for entertainment purposes. Later it was used for warfare, and by the 13th century it had spread to Europe and the rest of the world.
4. Printing
Printing started with woodblock printing in China during the Tang dynasty (618–907 AD). The idea of using blocks of wood with carved characters began with seal making, and was later used to print images or text on paper or cloth. The oldest surviving printed matter is the Diamond Sutra, dated 868 AD. Printing was further improved by the introduction of movable type in the 11th century.