China today is often mocked as the “copycat nation” due to its tendency to take Western products, re-engineer them, and sell the counterfeited items across the world. However, this is a very recent phenomenon. Before the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) took control of the country, some of the most amazing things were invented in ancient ...
Chinese bronze mirrors have a 4,000-year history in China. Not until the later period of the Qing Dynasty were they gradually replaced by glass mirrors. Producing these mirrors was an art. The reverse sides were frequently cast with exquisite decorative motifs and Chinese calligraphy. Among the various metal-based inventions in ancient China, bronze mirrors have ...
A thousand years ago, every city in the world turned pitch black at night, except for China, which was ablaze with bright and cheerful lights. In the evening, most major cities were peaceful and quiet, but in China, a lot of cities were crowded with people absorbed in song and laughter. Ancient Chinese cities had ...
Of all Chinese inventions, the history of silk (絲 sī) is perhaps the oldest. Traces of silk fabric have been found among remains from around 1300 B.C. The use of silk in China possibly goes back even much earlier. It’s said that until the second century B.C., silk remained an article known only to the ...
You generate a significant amount of waste in your daily life. While most people find trash undesirable, those with a quick wit see potential where others see refuse, turning what was once considered worthless into lucrative opportunities. A shift in perspective can alter the trajectory of one’s life. Identifying problems in the workplace and transforming ...
During the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty (1573-1620), in Guixi (now Guixi City, Jiangxi Province), a villager was plowing his field when he discovered the remains of an ancient city wall. Out of curiosity, the man started digging. As he dug further, he finally uncovered a beautifully colored stone. He decided to bring the ...
A traditional design using the theme, time on porcelain at the APAT exhibition 2022. Image by Trisha Haddock
You’ve probably heard of the legendary Nikola Tesla. Tesla was a science genius, known as “the man who created the 20th century.” In his life, he developed and held more than 700 patents on his own and collaborated in the development of more than 1,000 items. Tesla said that his inventions and creations did not ...
The abacus is a counting tool that has been used in China for thousands of years. It is widely used in shops, restaurants, and anywhere where bills need to be settled. The calculator has a rectangular frame made of wood, bamboo, or steel. It is assembled with rods, and is divided into two parts: the ...
There is an old saying in China: “Up in heaven is paradise, down on earth are Suzhou and Hangzhou.” These two cities are famous for their enchanting scenery, with lakes, pavilions, well-designed gardens, and beautiful silk products. Nearby are many ancient water villages, where most of the buildings are centered around lakes, rivers, canals, or ponds. 7 ...
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