Chinese Inventions Article pdf

 
 
19. Toothbrush 1498 in China 
The bristle toothbrush was invented in 1498 by Chinese who made 
toothbrushes with coarse horse hairs attached to bone or bamboo 
handles. It was later brought to the new world by Europeans. 
 
 
 
20. Paper Money 9th century A.D. 
Paper money were first developed by the ancient Chinese, who started 
using folding money at the end of the 8th or beginning of the 9th century 
AD. Paper bills were originally used as privately issued bills of credit or 
exchange notes. A merchant could deposit his cash in the capital, 
receiving a paper “exchange certificate” which he could exchange for 
metal coins in other cities. 
Actually Chinese are responsible for countless inventions that have 
helped shape the world history. Without these inventions by the ancient 
Chinese, the humankind would have taken more centuries to develop to 
the current phase. Do you know any other influential Chinese 
inventions? Please share with us by adding comments below. 
For more information: 
http://www.nbbmuseum.be/en/2007/09/chinese-invention.htm
Text Credit: 
http://www.chinawhisper.com/top-20-ancient-chinese-inventions/

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Assignment Description
Your job is to choose the invention that most interests you. There are links provided for many of 
the inventions to give you more information if you would like to learn more, but feel free to do your 
own research. Just remember: try to find credible sources and always follow internet safety rules.
Project Guidelines 
1. Choose the invention that interests you. 
2. Write a brief paragraph in your notebook (5-8 sentences) that explains how it was invented, 
history of its impact, why we care about this invention, etc.
3. Decide on a project! Make a model or replica of this invention. How you choose to do this is up to 
you; just be sure that you are exploring the ancient nature of the invention, not the modern 
rendition. 
OR 
3. Apply the ancient invention of your choice. Do an activity that allows you to use the technology 
that was invented during ancient Chinese dynasties.
4. Submit your project idea to Mrs. Rudes. The goal of this project is to allow you to interact with 
history in a hands-on way! Check with the teacher 
before
completing your project to ensure it 
meets the goals of this activity.
5. Get to work! You can submit your project by bringing it into school if possible, or by taking photos 
of you completing the activity and printing or sending them to Mrs. Rudes before the due date.
Good Examples: 
Make a toothbrush like the ancient toothbrushes 
using natural bristles (animal hair, soft plant fibers, 
etc.) and a wooden handle. 
Make a piece of paper using practices that might 
have been around in ancient China.
Bad examples:
Bring in a modern toothbrush you purchased at 
the grocery store.
Use a plastic kite as your model of an ancient kite.
Good Examples: 
Practice writing a passage using a method of 
calligraphy. (Does not need to be in Chinese ) 
Practice planting a garden (can be a small indoor 
garden in a shoebox) using row planting methods.
Bad examples:
Buy something with modern paper money. 
Practice finding different directions using a GPS 
(instead of a real compass).