What the Ancients Did for Us - Episode 02: The Chinese

Description

This episode features reports from Darling in China and demonstrations from Hart-Davis and Jopsom that examine the ideas and inventions that emerged from Ancient China.

    * Canals linked the Yellow River and the Yangzi River in the 3rd century BC for transport and communication across the vast empire.
    * The segmented arch bridge demonstrated by Hart-Davis in a potted history of bridge design was developed in the 7th century AD.
    * Silk developed in China from the cocoons of silkworms is demonstrated to be weight-for-weight stronger than steel in a tug-of-war.
    * The seismograph recreated by Jopsom based on the pendulum principal of its modern equivalent was developed in the 2nd century AD.
    * Noodles developed as early as 5000 BC were taken back to Italy by Marco Polo in the 13th century.
    * Tuned bells developed around 600 AD and are demonstrated by Hart-Davis to be the basis of a standardised system of measurement.
    * The double acting piston bellows used in the early iron industry and in the development of the first flamethrower is recreated by Jopsom.
    * Kite making goes back a thousand years and demonstrates a basic understanding of aerodynamics.
    * Paper first made around 100 AD was used in the art of calligraphy demonstrated to Darling and as toilet paper demonstrated by Hart-Davis.
    * Block printing was used by Monks for the distribution of the Buddhist sutras with the earliest known printed book dated to 868 AD.
    * Paper money originally developed by private businessmen to confound highwaymen was taken up by the state in the 11th century.
    * Gunpowder accidentally discovered by alchemists over 1,000 years ago was used in fireworks and bombs as demonstrated by Davis.

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