10 Everyday Things You Didn’t Know Were Chinese Inventions

Chinese people invented a lot of great stuff...here are some things you may not know that the Chinese invented.

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[TheSaneHatter]

Three historical notes:
A) Football was not only played at court during the Tang Dynasty, but even the WOMEN of the palace were fond of the sport, and had organized, intramural teams. (There's a documentary on the Daming Palace, elsewhere on YouTube, which will confirm this.)
B) The infamous sponge-on-a-stick from the Roman baths was dipped in vinegar, not seawater, and was NOT shared: the head was disposable, and removed/replaced after each use. (The used sponge went down the toilet . . . which actually flushed.)
C) Other, Western alternatives to TP included old rags (presumably thrown away after each use), or in some areas, mullein leaves (Scotland, for example).

[Belbecat]

I think many people don't understand how old ancient Chinese civilisation goes... lol

[paulkaikwonglee]

You have missed one important invention - the "Hot Air Balloon" described in the Period of the three Kingdom over 2, 000 years ago known as "Hung Ming Dung". Like all inventions, Chinese accidentally discovered that the hot lantern will rise when hot air from the flame is trapped inside the lantern.

[whyintelligence]

Chinese invented meritocracy instead of democracy, but a lot of people think Americans invented meritocracy.

[DarthJF]

I recently bought a book titled "The Genius of China - 3000 Years of Science, Discovery and Invention" that's been really interesting. The scope and variety of inventions mentioned in different fields is mind blowing.

[rollerepic]

If there are any students who are abused by their exams, I am sorry about it because Chinese also invented examination Orz

[johnyang]

Chinese definitely invented noodles. That's not debatable. Italians didn't have their pastas until Marco Polo's visit to China. But when it comes to ketchup, now that's debatable. There should be more info to back that up.

[chaoticcat]

Timestamps for those trying to do school work :)

0:57 - the invention of alcohol

1:36 - the invention of the bank note

2:13 - the invention of the toothbrush

3:01 - the invention of soccer

4:17 - the invention of nail polish

5:05 - the invention of photography

5:47 - the invention of card games

6:35 - the invention of forks/chopsticks

7:42 - the invention of ketchup

9:40 - the invention of toilet paper

hope this helped!

[PV]

I lived in China for ten years. It was an incredible, once in a lifetime, experience!! When all this craziness is over, I would love to return!!

[goosecouple]

You forgot Chairs. The Chinese were already sitting on furniture chairs while other people were sitting on rocks or on the floor.

[crimsonwires]

I don't know about Hokkien, but in Cantonese 茄汁, literally "Tomato Sauce" is pronounce "ke zap".

[torribioadba]

If a civilization has been around for more than 3 or 4 thousand years, and still alive and kicking to this day, that there alone is a testament to their ingenuity and perseverance! I really love Chinese history. The myths, the legends, the stories, the wars. Wars are not good but knowing about them is really intriguing! I love how Qin subdued the other 6 states during the warring states era! Monkey King Son Wukong is something else! Emperor Wu's magnificent way in handling his kingdom! Lot's more...

[KrazeDiamond]

China also invented court-martial system with judge/prosecutor/lawyer. The earliest banking system that would loan out credits. Then after gunpowder, came cannons, grenades, landmines, bombs. Also steel and metal fold-forming, the Tang Dynasty came up with the strongest and sharpest blades which the samurai sword is based off.

[AGFlashrock]

Inventing the weapons and not trying to take over the whole world but unfortunately being taken advantage of by the own inventions. I would argue that the Chinese were the people with the good mindset in that regard.

[pamelabatchelor]

Great fun show. China is beyond incredible in every way imagine how far ahead China would be if government fostered life's imagination rather than killing it. You forgot Tea!! So many Chinese Philosophers tried and tried to find answers to societies most difficult challenges only to loose the battle to corruption and might. I would love a show on Tea.

[hecktku]

I know why Asia dont get so much credit

its because it wouldnt fit in any book

[jarcher]

Ok people the video is called "...Things You DIDN'T Know Were Chinese Inventions..." So things like silk, gunpowder, abacus were excluded for OBVIOUS reasons! Anyway... Interesting you briefly mention the Xia dynasty because if you study Chinese history in the West, they don't believe the Xia dynasty is real, they don't believe Chinese civilization can start that early. Also, about a year ago I went to a museum where they had a special exhibit called The History of Booze, they did not give credit to the Chinese for being the first to discover alcohol, instead they said it was a culture in the Middle East.

[markwf]

the toothbrush was available in 1498, and the British were still using birch twigs and chalk in the mid 1800's .. Sheesh !

[tclinn]

Columbus "discovered" America and the hundreds of thousands of Asians (aka Native Americans) already living there. The only thing Columbus discovered was that he was hopelessly lost. Please correct the American text books.

[inzamam]

About chopsticks...This is an actual experience. Loool kinda. My mom forgot to pack a fork for my dad for lunch and he literally broke off two pieces of twigs and used them as chopsticks.