Inventions

     In 850 A.D. the Tang dynasty came up with a concoction of different materials to make a new explosive. This was called Gunpowder. Alchemists often were put to the job to make medicines to help with different diseases or different causes. In 850 they wanted to make a medicine that would lengthen life and make someone immortal. This medicine was going to be made to help all people and maybe even cure skin diseases and insect bites. The alchemists were put up to the job and were going to find a way to make something happen, they just did not know what. According to books and bibles the only way to make a life lengthening medicine was to use saltpeter, charcoal, and sulfur. So the alchemists got to work. They mixed 75 saltpeter with 15 charcoal and then added 10 sulfur. With the solution containing all the desired materials it should work they thought. When the materials were stirred together it exploded with a bang and caused fire to start. This was complete irony because it was supposed to make people live, but instead it killed people in the explosion. The  new concoction of materials was named gunpowder. Instead of using the gunpowder to shoot bullets at enemies, it was used for entertainment. The Tang dynasty figured out that by lighting the gunpowder on fire there would be a big explosion of colorful, orange fire. These explosions were fireworks and were not meant to hurt anybody.
    The Tang dynasty may have started the invention of gunpowder, but they did not use it to protect themself. In 960 A.D., the Song dynasty realized that gunpowder did not just have to be used for entertainment. When the Mongols attacked the Song dynasty, they used gunpowder to shoot arrows and fight against the attackers. During this time gunpowder was only used by the Chinese in China, but in the 12th and 13th centuries this changed. Gunpowder was introduced to the Arab countries during this time and a little later it was introduced to Greece. Then finally it was spread around the world.
     The invention of gunpowder changed how people fought in China and how people fight today. By using gunpowder the chinese dynasties were able to defeat who ever they fought in war. The Song dynasty was about to fight against the Mongols and actually have a chance at winning. Once gunpowder was spread around the world everybody could use it. Today the invention of gunpowder has made it easier for all countries, including the US, to fight in wars. Gunpowder is used by soldiers in Afganistan and it is also used by policemen all over the world. Gunpowder is used today to protect our world and has changed how people feel in the world.

http://tang-dynastykatelyn.blogspot.com/2012/01/inventions-that-tang-dynasty-made.html

    

http://tang-dynastykatelyn.blogspot.com/2012/01/inventions-that-tang-dynasty-made.html
This is how the Tang dynasty used gunpowder.