China ancient machinery attracted the attention of foreign scholars earlier. Since 199, Giles, Moule, Lanchester and others first speculated on the transmission mechanism of the south guide car [1](P52). Since the 192s, historians, mechanical engineers and cultural experts in China have started literature research and special research on ancient machinery in China. In 1925, Zhang Yinlin translated Moore's paper "A Study on the Making Method of Song Yansu and Wu Deren's Guidance Car", and wrote "The Making Method of Drum Cars in the Memories of Song Ludaolong and Wu Deren", which was published in the Journal of Tsinghua. In 1935, Liu Xianzhou published "Historical Materials of Mechanical Engineering in China" in Tsinghua University, which preliminarily sorted out the descriptions of machinery in ancient Chinese books. Wang Zhenduo tried to restore ancient mechanical devices according to the records of ancient documents. In 1936, he published "The Speculation on the Making Method of Han Zhangheng's Houfeng Seismograph" in the Journal of Yanjing, and restored the south guide car and the drum car in the Beiping Research Institute [2](P63). These early works initiated the research on the history of mechanical engineering in China.
Since p>1949, the history of science and technology has become an organized undertaking in China, which has achieved initial institutionalization and made great progress in research. Among them, the work of Liu Xianzhou and Wang Zhenduo represents the academic level of the history of mechanical engineering [3](P36).
from 195 to 196, Liu Xianzhou carried out special research on mechanical prime mover, timer, gear and cam. Based on these studies, he wrote the general works "The Invention History of Mechanical Engineering in China" [4] (Part I) and "The Development History of Ancient Agricultural Machinery in China" [5], which initially outlined the general context of the development of mechanical technology in China. The book contains research results on cymbals, pulleys and unicycles. Later, Mr. Liu organized scholars to look for clues and descriptions of ancient machinery from more than 2 thousand kinds of ancient books, leaving a large number of cards. In recent years, Tsinghua University library scholars have sorted out these materials.
restoration is an important aspect in the study of ancient mechanical history. Wang Zhenduo and others have long been engaged in special research and restoration of ancient mechanical history. On the basis of literature analysis and archaeological discoveries, the mechanical devices such as seismograph, guide car, drum car in memory, water transport instrument, water platoon, etc. were restored for the China History Museum, and their main achievements were included in his collection "On Archaeology of Science and Technology" [6].
Joseph Needham of England paid attention to the mechanical and technical communication in ancient China from the perspective of the comparison between eastern and western civilizations, and discussed the relationship between mechanical technology and other knowledge. He consulted the research results of China scholars and western scholars, and with the help of Wang Ling, he wrote the mechanical engineering volume of the History of Science and Technology in China [7]. The book was first published in 1965 and later translated into Japanese and Chinese, which is an important window for foreign scholars to understand China's mechanical technology tradition [8].
After Liu Xianzhou, the special research and investigation of the history of mechanical engineering still made progress. Lu Jingyan of Tongji University has made new progress in the restoration research of ancient weapons and other mechanical devices and the investigation of traditional machinery such as vertical windmills. China Academy of Sciences, University of Science and Technology Beijing and other units have made great achievements in the research of traditional metal technology in China, and Northwest Agricultural University and other units have made great achievements in the research of bronze chariots and horses in the Qinling Mountains. In the 199s, when the Institute of Natural Science History of Chinese Academy of Sciences organized the national historians of science and technology to write the series "History of Science and Technology in China", which focused on the research achievements of China scholars for decades, scholars such as Lu Jingyan and Hua Jueming compiled the mechanical volume of the series [9]. This book inherits the ideas of Liu Xianzhou, Wang Zhenduo and other China scholars, and makes appropriate reference to Needham and other scholars' works, making progress in technical content and structural principle analysis.
The monographs written by Liu Xianzhou, Wang Zhenduo, Needham, Lu Jingyan and Hua Jueming are mainly based on the records of ancient books, archaeological data and the investigation data of some traditional machines. The future research on the history of ancient mechanical engineering in China can be made in several aspects. First, explore, sort out and interpret the historical materials in Chinese classics and some minority language documents in the Ming and Qing Dynasties; Second, make full use of existing and future archaeological excavation materials to carry out scientific and technological archaeological research; Third, investigate the existing traditional machinery extensively and deeply, and explore the relationship between them and cultural background; Fourth, carry out research on the social history, cultural history and ideological history of technology.
China has a continuous cultural tradition and has preserved numerous ancient books. Records about ancient machinery are scattered in various genres of books and records. However, most of the written descriptions or drawings about technology are too brief, and often there are only a few words or even no records. Archaeological discoveries can provide some reliable first-hand information, but their contents are obviously limited. Most ancient machines were made of wood, bamboo and other materials that could not be preserved for a long time, and only a few parts were made of stone and metal. This makes it rare for us to find machines with relatively complete structures in archaeological materials. After all, such discoveries as ancient vehicles and bronze chariots and horses are few.
the value and function of China's ancient history of mechanical engineering technology
China's mechanical engineering technology has formed its own unique style in the long historical development process. China's ancient mechanical engineering technology is an integral part of the world's mechanical history and occupies an important position in the world's mechanical engineering history.
Joseph Needham, a famous historian of science, once pointed out when discussing the exchange and comparison of Chinese and Western science and technology: "A few basic technologies were once spread in all directions from ancient Mesopotamia ... but China invented more. These inventions spread to Europe and other regions from the first century to the eighteenth century. This includes: (1) Dragon Bone Car; (2) Application of stone mill and hydraulic power in stone mill; 3 water drainage; (4) Fan car and winnowing machine; (5) Piston bellows; (6) flat loom (which may also be an invention of India) and jacquard machine; (7) Silk reeling, spinning and adjusting machine; (8) unicycle; (9) Sailing trolleys; (1) grinding; (11) Two efficient harnesses for dragging heavy animals, namely, chest strap and steamed stuffed bun; (12) crossbow (13) kite; (14) bamboo weaving and lanterns; (15) Deep drilling technology; (16) the use of cast iron; (17) a swimming constant-level hanger; (18) Arc arch bridge; (19) iron cable suspension bridge; (2) River channel gate; (21) Numerous inventions in shipbuilding and shipping, including waterproof compartments, high-efficiency aerodynamic sails and rudder at the stern of fore and aft rigging (22); (23) gunpowder and some technologies related to it; (24) Compass needle, first used to see geomantic omen, then used for navigation; (25) Paper, printing and movable type printing; (26) porcelain. All these examples have one thing in common, that is, they were applied in China before they appeared in other parts of the world. Sometimes even much earlier. " [1](P545) The vast majority of these examples cited by Dr. Needham are ancient mechanical inventions or related technological achievements in China. It can be seen that the achievements of ancient mechanical technology in China not only occupy a prominent position in the history of science and technology in China, but also play an important role in the history of machinery and even science and technology in the world.
The historical value of China's mechanical history also lies in the fact that traditional mechanical engineering technology played a very important role in the development of ancient China's social economy and science and technology. China has been founded on agriculture since ancient times, and agricultural production has always occupied a core position in the development process of ancient history, so agricultural machinery, as an agricultural production tool, plays an extremely important role in production. A large number of inventions, innovations and their popularization and application in agricultural machinery technology have played a great role in improving social productivity. Similarly, machinery also plays an important role in water conservancy engineering, construction engineering, transportation, textile and other fields. Mechanical technology plays an important role in the military, and the manufacture of advanced and sophisticated weapons and military equipment depends on advanced mechanical technology. China has made many important achievements in astronomical observation in ancient times, which is closely related to the role of advanced astronomical instruments, and the appearance of many advanced astronomical instruments reflects the development of precision machinery manufacturing technology in ancient China. "Heavenly Creations" edited by Song Yingxing in Ming Dynasty is an encyclopedia about ancient engineering technology in China, in which the content of mechanical technology accounts for more than half of the book, which also shows the important position of mechanical technology in ancient engineering technology. Therefore, the traditional mechanical technology is rooted in all fields of social life and production in ancient China. The progress of mechanical technology not only promoted the development of production and enriched the social life in ancient times, but also became a powerful tool to promote the development of science and technology in different fields in ancient times.
1. It has promoted the progress of agriculture
China has been founded on agriculture since ancient times, and agricultural production has always occupied a core position in the development process of ancient history, so agricultural machinery as an agricultural production tool plays an extremely important role in production. A large number of inventions, innovations and their popularization and application in agricultural machinery have played a great role in improving social productivity.
in the spring and autumn period, iron tools were used in agriculture and handicraft production. By the Warring States period, there were many iron farm tools, which marked the remarkable improvement of social productive forces. Niu Geng was used in the late Spring and Autumn Period, and it was popularized in the Warring States Period, which promoted the further development of agricultural production. During the Warring States period, farmers paid attention to the use of fertilizers, and also paid attention to seed selection, local conditions and timely farming. At that time, all countries built water conservancy projects. Dujiangyan built by Li Bing, the prefect of Qin and Shu County, in the middle reaches of Minjiang River is a world-famous flood control and irrigation project. Dujiangyan eliminated the flood of Minjiang River, irrigated a large area of farmland, and turned Chengdu Plain into a fertile field, which has been benefiting the people for more than two thousand years. Jia Sixie in the Northern Dynasty wrote Qi Min Yao Shu, which emphasized that agricultural production should follow the laws of nature, crops must be planted according to the local conditions, and agricultural time should not be delayed, and production technologies and tools should be reformed.
2. It promoted the prosperity of handicraft industry and commerce
As early as the Spring and Autumn Period, China had invented pig iron smelting technology, which was 19 years earlier than Europe. In the late Spring and Autumn Period, the State of Jin cast a written criminal law on an iron tripod and promulgated it. During the Warring States period, there were more than 3 iron mines. At that time, the cooking salt industry, textile industry and lacquer industry all made remarkable progress. Song Yingxing, a scientist at the end of Ming Dynasty, compiled Heavenly Creations, which summarized the production technology of agriculture and handicraft industry in Ming Dynasty, and reflected the production appearance of handicraft field in China in Ming Dynasty. This paper introduces the scissors made by Wang Mazi in Beijing and Zhang Xiaoquan in Hangzhou, using the techniques of "clamping steel" and "sticking steel". Gas can be removed when coal mining; Jacquard machine in textile industry, etc. These were first-rate in the world at that time.
3. It plays an important role in hydraulic engineering, construction engineering, transportation, textile and other fields
Dujiangyan in Qin State is a world-famous flood control and irrigation project. He divided the Minjiang River into Neijiang and Waijiang. Neijiang is used for irrigation and the outer river is used for flood diversion, which avoids floods and irrigates farmland. Zhao Zhouqiao, designed and built by Li Chun, an outstanding craftsman in Sui Dynasty, is the oldest stone arch bridge in the world. There are two small arches above the two ends of the big arch of the bridge, which can reduce the pressure of the bridge weight on the bridge foundation and reduce the impact of the rapids on the bridge in case of flood. Yuwen Kai, a famous architect in Sui Dynasty, designed Daxing City, the capital of Sui Dynasty, and Luoyang City, Tokyo, and guided the construction of the two cities. In the Northern Song Dynasty, the compass was applied to navigation. The ships of the Song Dynasty were equipped with compass needles, which could tell the direction no matter day, night, rain or fog. In the Southern Song Dynasty, the compass spread to Europe, which provided important conditions for European navigators to sail around the world and discover the new continent.
4. It plays an important role in the military
Mechanical technology plays an important role in the military, and the manufacture of advanced and sophisticated weapons and military equipment depends on advanced mechanical technology. At the end of the Tang dynasty, gunpowder began to be used in the military. During the Song Dynasty, gunpowder was widely used in the military. At that time, gunpowder weapons included rockets, muskets and artillery. In the 13th and 14th centuries, gunpowder and weapons spread to Arabia and Europe. In the Yuan Dynasty, the large metal tube-shaped firearm "spear" was highly regarded in the military. During Mongolia's Western Expedition, gunpowder weapons were used to attack cities in Central Asia and Persia many times. During the war, Arabs learned to make gunpowder and gunpowder weapons.
Third, the practical significance of the history of ancient science and technology in China
The study of China's mechanical history not only has important historical value, but also has high practical value and significance. This is mainly manifested in the following aspects.
First of all, China's ancient mechanical engineering technology is an important part of China's science and culture, and the technological achievements of traditional machinery are China's outstanding scientific and cultural heritage, so the study of China's ancient mechanical history has important cultural value. Mechanical technology has always occupied a core position in the history of human material culture, and the development stage of human civilization is generally marked by the important achievements of mechanical technology, which is the best explanation. Our ancestors created many outstanding mechanical scientific and technological achievements, leaving a lot of material and cultural wealth for future generations. It is undoubtedly very beneficial to explore, sort out and study these mechanical achievements to enrich the scientific and cultural treasure house of the motherland. However, in the past, the work in this field was far from enough, and the history of mechanical engineering in China is still a field to be developed. Under the current circumstances, it is particularly important to further study the history of machinery in China.
Second, technological development has a strong inheritance and regularity. The study of China's mechanical history is helpful to reveal the characteristics of technological development, and can play the role of reviewing the old and understanding the new, clarifying the direction and trend, so it has important reference value. The successful experience and failure lessons of mechanical science and technology in China's history are of great reference value for the development of science and technology today. China's ancient concept and philosophy of technology related to machinery are still of reference value for us to understand the relationship between technology and people, technology and environment, and technology and society. China's ancient technological thoughts, methods and measures just meet the requirements of modern sustainable development, and also have positive reference significance for understanding and solving a series of negative effects brought by technology to modern society, such as environmental pollution, exhaustion of energy and resources. The study of China's modern mechanical history is of direct reference to the formulation of national policies and strategies for technology planning, technology development and introduction.
Thirdly, by studying the history of ancient mechanical engineering in China, clarifying the rise and fall of traditional mechanical technology in China, and understanding the life, achievements and thoughts of scientists and inventors, we can not only learn the knowledge of science and history, but also get enlightenment and lessons from it, so the history of machinery in China has more important educational value and function. The dissemination of knowledge about the history of mechanical engineering technology is helpful for people to understand the ins and outs of the concept and principle of mechanical engineering technology and deepen their knowledge and understanding of mechanical technology. Bacon said: studying history can make people wise. For young students and professional technicians, the knowledge of mechanical history can be