Four great inventions of China

The four great inventions refer to the four great inventions in ancient China that had great influence on the world. Namely papermaking, compass, gunpowder and movable type printing. This statement was first put forward by Joseph Needham, a British sinologist, and was later inherited by many historians in China. It is generally believed that these four great inventions greatly promoted the development of politics, economy and culture in ancient China. These inventions spread to the west through various channels and had a great influence on the history of world civilization. The invention of papermaking provided economical and convenient writing materials for human beings and set off a revolution of human writing carrier.

(2) The appearance of printing accelerated the spread of culture and changed the situation that only the upper class in Europe could read.

The invention of compass provided important conditions for European navigators to travel around the world and discover America, and promoted the development of world trade.

(4) The invention of gunpowder weapons: it changed the way of fighting, helped the European bourgeoisie destroy the feudal fortress and accelerated the historical process of Europe.