1001 ⟶ Chinese Discovery of Coal for Iron Production
1100 – the demands of the Chinese iron industry for charcoal...
Year
39
1001
1027
1075
1994
🏭 Chinese Discovery of Coal for Iron Production
1100 – the demands of the Chinese iron industry for charcoal led to a huge amount of deforestation, which was curbed when the Chinese discovered how to use bituminous coal in smelting cast iron and steel, thus sparing thousands of acres of prime timberland.⟶
Iron AgeMetallurgyEnvironmentIndustrial RevolutionEconomic History
China🧭 Yan Su Recreates South-Pointing Chariot
– The Chinese engineer Yan Su recreates the mechanical compass-vehicle of the south-pointing chariot, first invented by Ma Jun in the 3rd century.⟶
CompassNavigationSong DynastyMilitary Technology
China⚙️ Song Dynasty Develops Precursor to Bessemer Process
– the Song Chinese innovate a partial decarbonization method of repeated forging of cast iron under a cold blast that Hartwell and Needham consider to be a predecessor to the 18th century Bessemer process.⟶
Song DynastyMetallurgyManufacturingIndustrial Revolution
China🏗️ Three Gorges Dam Construction Begins
December 14: Construction of the Three Gorges Dam begins in Hubei, China.⟶
HydropowerInfrastructureEnergyEnvironmentYangtze River
China