Lesson 4

The Contribution of Arabs, Chinese and Hindu in the Development of Science and
Technology

Paper and Chinese Calligraphy

(1500 BC)

The earliest writing that we know

of from China was on animal bones
because they were used to tell the
future.

Kites and Lanterns

A quadrilateral whose four sides Past kites were flat
can be grouped into two pairs of. and often rectangu-
equal length sides that are adja- lar that is made up
cent to each other. of paper, cotton
cloth and sink
while modern kites
are made with ma-
terials like Nylon
cloth, fiberglass
and fiber frames.

Magnetic Compass

A wooden circle with markings

on it, and a magnetic spoon on
top, used for religious purposes.

Gunpowder
(14th century)

It was made by mixing sulphur, In later developments,

charcoal and pottasium nitrate. gunpowder was made
into more accurate and
deadly weapons.
 Fireworks
Fireworks were actually bamboo Modern versions of
cases filled with gunpowder with. fireworks can create
a fuse on the side. shapes, multiple
colors and various
sounds.

Cross bow

A bow set horizontally on a Old crossbows had

stock. hand cranks to draw
back to full draw. Modern
crossbow has a trigger
and a stock like a rifle and
it is much smaller.

Fans

It is made of bamboo spines Modern fans use airfoil-style

that stick out in the shape of. blades for optimize air move-
a semicircle with silk wrapped. ment a reduced energy cost.
around it.

Seed Drill

Seed drills were used by farmers Modern drills use air to

to plant seeds into the soil at uni- convey seed in plastic
form depth. tubes from the seed hop-
per to the coulters.

Iron Plough
(4th century BC)

One of the major developments In modern use, a

in ancient Chinese Agriculture. ploughed field is
typically left to dry
out and is then harrow-
ed before planting.
Porcelain

This is made of special white clay It is fired at a higher much

which has a lot of kaolin in it. temperature than soft-pace
porcelain and therefore ex-
pensive to produce.

Silk

It was made from the cocoons Nowadays, silk is used in

of silkworms. It was a soft and. parachutes and also as a
light material much desired blanket filling.
wealthy throughout the world.

Wheelbarrow

Wheelbarrows are basically The modern user of

hand driven vehicles with the wheelbarrow lifts
two handles on the rear side. up the handles and
for a person to push ahead. pushes the device
forward using the
wheel to lighten the
load.