The Chinese people of the Northern and Southern Dynasties (420-581) invented the first paddle wheel ship. A wheel with boards or paddles affixed around its circumference, instead of the oars, was used to propel the ship. The use of a constantly moving device, rather than an intermittent device, signified a critical technological improvement in shipbuilding.

By the Song Dynasty, powder and ships had become two of the most important military weapons. Historical records show that General Han Shizhong defeated the enemy largely due to the use of paddle wheel ships in the famous Huangtiandang Battle. Another record shows that Yu Yuwen's paddle wheel ships once "startled and astonished" the enemy troops. With the improvement of the shipbuilding technology, the number of paddle wheels also increased from 2 to 4, 8, 20, or even 32.

As another contribution to the world's shipbuilding, the wheel paddle ship is recognized as the forefather of the modern steamboat.

Author: Jessie