1107Wu Deren Combines Compass and Odometer in Engineering

The Chinese engineer Wu Deren combines the mechanical compas...
Timelines Logo
Year
1027
1044
1075
1088
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.
Yan Su Recreates South-Pointing Chariot (1027)
CompassNavigationSong DynastyMilitary Technology
ChinaChina

📜 Wujing Zongyao Describes Gunpowder and Early Compass

the Chinese Wujing Zongyao, written by Zeng Gongliang and Yang Weide, is the first book to describe gunpowder formulas; it also described their use in warfare, such as blackpowder-impregnated fuses for flamethrowers. It also described an early form of the compass, a thermoremanence compass.
Wujing Zongyao Describes Gunpowder and Early Compass (1044)
GunpowderMilitary TechnologyCompassInventionsSong DynastyWarfare
ChinaChina

⚙️ 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 Dynasty Develops Precursor to Bessemer Process (1075)
Song DynastyMetallurgyManufacturingIndustrial Revolution
ChinaChina

🧭 Shen Kuo's First Reference to Magnetic Compass

the renowned polymath Chinese scientist and official Shen Kuo made the world's first reference to the magnetic compass in his book Dream Pool Essays, along with encyclopedic documentation and inquiry into scientific discoveries.
Shen Kuo's First Reference to Magnetic Compass (1088)
NavigationShen KuoSong Dynasty
ChinaChina

🕰️ 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.
Su Song's Astronomical Clock Tower Construction (1094)
ClockmakingAstronomyMechanical EngineeringSong Dynasty
ChinaChina

🧭 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.
Wu Deren Combines Compass and Odometer in Engineering (1107)
NavigationChinese HistorySong DynastyMilitary Technology
ChinaChina