1094 ⟶ Su Song's Astronomical Clock Tower Construction
– The Chinese mechanical engineer and astronomer Su Song inc...
Year
1027
1075
1077
1094
1107
🧭 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🕰️ Su Song's Diplomatic Mission and the Development of Astronomical Technology
Chinese official Su Song is sent on a diplomatic mission to the Liao dynasty and discovers that the Khitan calendar is more mathematically accurate than the Song calendar; Emperor Zhezong later sponsors Su Song's astronomical clock tower in order to compete with Liao astronomers.⟶
AstronomySong DynastyLiao DynastySu SongCultural Exchange
China🕰️ Su Song's Astronomical Clock Tower Construction
– The Chinese mechanical engineer and astronomer Su Song incorporates an escapement mechanism and the world's first known chain drive to operate the armillary sphere, the astronomical clock, and the striking clock jacks of his clock tower in Kaifeng.⟶
ClockmakingAstronomyMechanical EngineeringSong Dynasty
China🧭 Wu Deren Combines Compass and Odometer in Engineering
The Chinese engineer Wu Deren combines the mechanical compass vehicle of the south-pointing chariot with the distance-measuring odometer device.⟶
NavigationChinese HistorySong DynastyMilitary Technology
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