Everyday Objects

Everyday Objects

Do you ever play games with a deck of cards? If so, you are using a Chinese invention. The Chinese invented a number of everyday objects people use today, including game cards, paper money, and mechanical clocks, all of which were developed during the Tang dynasty.

Multiple Choice

game cards, paper money, and mechanical clocks, all of which were developed during the ____ dynasty.

• Tang

• Song

• Tsui

Game Cards and Paper Money 

Game cards were invented in China in about the 9th century. Printers used woodblock printing to make the cards from thick paper, and famous artists drew the designs that appeared on the backs of the cards. Europeans were introduced to card games by the late 1300s. Today, card games are played throughout the world.

The Chinese invented paper money in the late 8th or early 9th century. Before that time, coins were the only form of currency. Like game cards, paper money was printed with wood blocks. By 1107, Song printers were using multiple wood blocks to print each bill. A single bill would include many colors. Paper money is the most common form of currency in the world today.

The Development of the Mechanical Clock

 The Chinese developed the first mechanical clock in about the 8th century. The new clock was more accurate than earlier timekeeping devices, such as sundials and hourglasses. The Chinese devised a wheel that made one complete turn every 24 hours. Dripping water made the wheel turn. Every quarter hour, drums would beat; and every hour, a bell would chime. The sounds let people know what time it was.

Multiple Choice

Mechanical clocks ran on

• 24 hrs

• 12 hrs

The Chinese improved the mechanical clock in 1092, during the Song dynasty. Although the new clock worked on the same principles as the earlier one, it was much more complex and accurate.

Europeans first developed mechanical clocks in the late 1200s. As with Chinese clocks, a bell rang to indicate the hour. Later, dials and hands were added. Modern-day mechanical clocks are based on the same fundamental [fundamental: at the most basic level] principles as early Chinese clocks

Multiple Choice

The Chinese invented all of the following EXCEPT

• paper money.

• chess.

• mechanical clocks.

• playing cards.

Multiple Choice

What is this?

• playing cards

• paper money

• mechanical clock

Multiple Choice

made from woodblock printing on thick paper

• paper money.

• chess.

• mechanical clocks.

• playing cards.