━━ Tea has a thousand-year tradition that originated in China.
( Source: Roxiller / iStockphoto )
Asia is the most populous and diverse continent. For thousands of years, the stories of people from different nations and cultures have been written here, speaking different languages, practising different religions and respecting their traditions. Similarly, many important discoveries have been made here that have changed the course of history. What did this continent bring to the rest of the world?
Tea is one of the most popular beverages today. It is served in a slightly different way in every part of the world, but it has its origins in Asia. As the story goes, the origin of tea dates back more than 4,500 years in southwestern China. However, its effects were initially only used in natural healing.
With the rise of trade routes, especially the Silk Road, it gradually made its way around the world. By the 3rd century AD, it had already become a common drinking beverage. Cultivation also expanded. Today, it is considered a delicious drink that we consume on a daily basis.
To explore the world, geographical orientation was needed, aided by the compass. Originally created by the Chinese in the 4th century BC, it had a very different meaning at that time. They were able to use it to find the most unsuitable place to build a house on the basis of feng shui. It helped them to organise and harmonise the environment. Over the centuries, this handy tool then acquired a directional significance, i.e. it was used to facilitate maritime navigation.
Gunpowder was developed in China during the 10th century, however, it is sometimes referred to as early as the 9th century. However, its purpose was not initially warlike, but entertaining. It was primarily used to set off fireworks. This invention changed warfare as it was later used in artillery and firearms. It took war technology to a new level.
━━ Asian countries are big chip manufacturers.
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Thanks to China, dressing has become a luxury item. It is here that silk, which is considered the most luxurious and oldest material, originated. It is said to have originated more than 5,000 years ago.
For a long time, the Chinese kept the production of silk a secret, which made it all the more desirable. The demand for this luxurious fabric gave rise to the Silk Road. Its production was complex and costly, as it was originally obtained from the cocoon of the silkworm. Today there are several types of silk, the production of which varies slightly.
In ancient times, it was common to write on papyrus, which originated in Egypt. However, it was not accessible to the lower classes. Paper itself, or at least an early version of it, was not developed until the 2nd century in China. It was produced by a Chinese official, Ts’ai Luna, who used a very special combination of materials. He mixed mulberry fibres, fishing nets, old cloth and hemp waste. He then ground it all up and left the mixture to dry in the sun. Although it took a long time for the paper to reach Europe, it revolutionised recording and therefore expanded educational opportunities.
Zero is a very common part of the number series for us, but it didn’t exist before. Its origin was probably in India in the 5th century. The concept of zero was called shunya in Hindi, meaning emptiness. Thus, here was the initial seed for the adoption of zero as a mathematical symbol. Without it, complex algebraic calculations could not be performed and modern technology could not be created.
Many Asian countries have made great technological advances in recent decades and are leaders in the development of modern technology. In particular, China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan have become producers of the chips that power electronics.
