Introduction to astronomical observers and some astronomical phenomena

Accounts and legends about Chinese mechanical traditions have been circulated around the world for a long time, attracting the attention and curiosity of technicians and literati of all ages. During the Three Kingdoms period, Ma Jun once again invented the compass and the overturning cart of his predecessors. In the late Ming Dynasty, Wang Zheng tried to restore the compass, wooden ox and flowing horse, etc. Wang Zhen wrote "Nongshu·Agricultural Instruments Atlas", Xue Jingshi wrote "Zi Ren Legacy System", and Song Yingxing wrote "Tiangong Kaiwu", which recorded the machinery they knew. The artist's work also preserves technical information about ancient machinery. For example, "Turn the Wheel at the Gate" of the Five Dynasties carefully draws water mills, and "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" depicts ships, vehicles, bridges and other technologies in Bianliang (now Kaifeng), the capital of the Song Dynasty.

Chinese ancient machinery attracted the attention of foreign scholars earlier. Since 1909, Giles, Moule, Lanchester and others first speculated on the transmission mechanism of the compass [1] (P52). After the 1920s, Chinese historians, mechanical engineers and cultural experts began literature research and special research on ancient Chinese machinery. In 1925, Zhang Yinlin translated Englishman Moore's paper "An Examination of the Construction Methods of Guide Cars of Wu Deren and Yansu Song Dynasty", and wrote "The Construction Methods of Ligu Cars of Lu Daolong and Wu Deren in Song Dynasty", which was published in "Journal of Tsinghua University". In 1935, Liu Xianzhou published "Historical Materials of Chinese Mechanical Engineering" at Tsinghua University, which initially compiled the descriptions of machinery in ancient Chinese books. Wang Zhenduo tried to restore ancient mechanical devices based on records in ancient documents. In 1936, he published "Speculations on the Manufacturing Method of the Zhanghenghou Wind and Seismograph of the Han Dynasty" in the "Journal of Yanjing University", and restored the compass car and Jiligu car at the Peking Research Institute [2] (P63). These early works pioneered the study of the history of mechanical engineering in China.

After 1949, the history of science and technology became an organized undertaking in China, achieved initial institutionalization, and research work made great progress. Among them, the work of Liu Xianzhou and Wang Zhenduo represents the academic level of mechanical engineering history [3] (P36).

From 1950 to 1960, Liu Xianzhou carried out special research on mechanical motive power, timers, gears, cams and other aspects. Based on these studies, he wrote the general historical works "History of the Invention of Mechanical Engineering in China" [4] (Part 1) and "History of the Development of Ancient Chinese Agricultural Machinery" [5], which initially sketched the general context of the development of China's mechanical technology. The book contains research results on columbians, windlasses, wheelbarrows, etc. Later, Mr. Liu organized scholars to search for clues and descriptions of ancient machinery from more than 20,000 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 of 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, he restored mechanical devices such as seismographs, compasses, drum carts, water transport instruments, and water drainage for the Chinese History Museum. The main results are included in his collection "Archaeology of Science and Technology" [6].

The British Joseph Needham paid attention to the comparison of Eastern and Western civilizations, examined the spread of machinery and technology in ancient China, and also explored the relationship between mechanical technology and other knowledge. He referred to the research results of Chinese and Western scholars, and with the assistance of Wang Ling, wrote the mechanical engineering volume of the "History of Science and Technology in China" [7]. The book was first published in 1965 and was later translated into Japanese and Chinese. It is an important window for foreign scholars to understand the tradition of Chinese mechanical technology [8].

After Liu Xianzhou, there is still progress in the special research and investigation of the history of mechanical engineering. Lu Jingyan of Tongji University has made new progress in the research on the restoration of ancient weapons and other mechanical devices, as well as the investigation of traditional machinery such as vertical-axis windmills. Research on traditional Chinese metal crafts by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the University of Science and Technology Beijing, and research on Qinling bronze chariots and horses by Northwest Agricultural University and other units have all achieved important research results. In the 1990s, when the Institute of Natural Science History of the Chinese Academy of Sciences organized historians of science and technology across the country to write the "History of Science and Technology in China" series to showcase the research results of Chinese scholars for decades, Lu Jingyan, Hua Jueming and other scholars compiled the book. Mechanical volume of the series [9]. This book inherits the ideas of Chinese scholars such as Liu Xianzhou and Wang Zhenduo, appropriately refers to the works of Joseph Needham and other scholars, and makes progress in both technical content and analysis of structural principles.

The monographs written by Liu Xianzhou, Wang Zhenduo, Joseph Needham, Lu Jingyan and Hua Jueming are mainly based on records in ancient books, archaeological data and some survey data on traditional machinery. Future research on the history of ancient Chinese mechanical engineering can also make efforts in several aspects. First, to excavate, organize and interpret historical materials in Chinese classics and documents in certain ethnic minority languages ??during the Ming and Qing Dynasties; second, to make full use of existing and future archaeological excavation data to carry out scientific and technological archaeological research; third, to conduct extensive and in-depth research Fourthly, we should conduct research on the social history, cultural history and intellectual history of technology.

China has a continuous cultural tradition and has preserved a large number of ancient books. Records about ancient machinery are scattered in various genres of books. However, most of the written descriptions or drawings about technology are too brief, often only a few words, or even no records can be found.

Archaeological discoveries can provide some reliable first-hand information, but their content is obviously limited. Most ancient machines are made of wood, bamboo and other materials that are not easy to preserve for a long time, and only a few parts are made of stone and metal. This makes it very rare for us to find machinery with a relatively complete structure in archaeological data. Discoveries like ancient vehicles and bronze chariots and horses are, after all, rare.

2 The value and role of the history of ancient Chinese mechanical engineering technology

China’s mechanical engineering technology has formed its own unique style during the long historical development process. Ancient Chinese mechanical engineering technology is an integral part of the world's mechanical history and occupies an important position in the history of world mechanical engineering.

The famous historian of science Joseph Needham once pointed out when discussing the exchange and comparison of science and technology between China and the West: "There are a few basic technologies that have spread in all directions from ancient Mesopotamia... However, the Chinese There are many inventions. These inventions spread to Europe and other areas from the first century AD to the eighteenth century, including: (1) keel wheels; (2) the application of stone rollers and water power; 3. water drainage. ;(4) Fan cars and winnowing machines; (5) Piston bellows; (6) Flat looms (which may also be an Indian invention) and jacquard looms; (7) Reeling, spinning and adjusting machines; ( 8) Wheelbarrow; (9) Sailed cart; (10) Mill cart; (11) Two types of efficient harness for hauling heavy animals, namely chest straps and buns; (12) Crossbows (13) Kites; (14) ) Bamboo braiding and revolving lanterns; (15) deep drilling technology; (16) use of cast iron; (17) swimming horizontal hangers; (18) curved arch bridges; (19) iron cable suspension bridges; (20) river gates; (21) Numerous inventions in shipbuilding and shipping, including waterproof bulkheads, efficient aerodynamic sails, and front and rear rigging; (22) Rudders at the stern; (23) Gunpowder and some technologies related to it; (24) Compass needles, First used for Feng Shui, and later for navigation; (25) Paper, printing and movable type printing; (26) Porcelain All these examples have one thing in common, which is the period in which they were used in China. It is indeed earlier than the period when they appeared in other parts of the world.” [10] (P545) Most of the examples cited by Dr. Needham are mechanical inventions or related technological achievements in ancient China. It can be seen that the mechanical technological achievements of ancient China not only occupy a prominent position in the history of Chinese science and technology, but also their status in the history of world machinery and even science and technology cannot be underestimated.

The historical value of China’s mechanical history is also reflected in the fact that traditional mechanical engineering technology occupied a very important position in the socio-economic and scientific and technological development of ancient China. 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. Therefore, agricultural machinery, as a tool for agricultural production, plays an extremely important role in production. A large number of inventions, innovations and their promotion 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 projects, construction projects, transportation, textiles and other fields. Mechanical technology plays a decisive role in the military. The manufacturing of advanced and sophisticated weapons and military equipment depends on advanced mechanical technology. Ancient China was able to achieve many important achievements in astronomical observation, which are inseparable from the role of advanced astronomical instruments. The emergence of many advanced astronomical instruments reflects the development of precision machinery manufacturing technology in ancient China. "Tiangong Kaiwu" compiled by Song Yingxing of the Ming Dynasty is an encyclopedia about ancient Chinese engineering technology. The content about mechanical technology accounts for more than half of the book, which also illustrates the important position of mechanical technology in ancient engineering technology. Therefore, traditional mechanical technology is rooted in various fields of ancient Chinese social life and production. The progress of mechanical technology not only promoted the development of production and enriched ancient social life, but also became a powerful tool to promote the development of science and technology in different fields in ancient times.

1. Promoted the progress of agriculture

China has been founded on agriculture since ancient times. Agricultural production has always occupied a core position in the development process of ancient history. Therefore, agricultural machinery as a tool for agricultural production has always played a key role in the development of agriculture. The role in production is extremely important. A large number of inventions, innovations and their promotion and application in agricultural machinery have played a great role in improving social productivity.

In the Spring and Autumn Period, ironware began to be used in agriculture and handicraft production. By the Warring States Period, there were already many iron farm tools, marking a significant increase in social productivity. Oxen farming was already used in the late Spring and Autumn Period, and was promoted during the Warring States Period, promoting further development of agricultural production. During the Warring States Period, farmers attached great importance to the use of fertilizers, as well as seed selection, adapting measures to local conditions, and timely cultivation. At that time, water conservancy projects were built in various countries. Dujiangyan, built by Li Bing, the governor of Qin Shu County, is a world-famous flood control and irrigation project in the middle reaches of the Minjiang River. Dujiangyan eliminated flooding in the Min River, irrigated large areas of farmland, and turned the Chengdu Plain into fertile land. It has been benefiting the people for more than two thousand years. Jia Sixie of the Northern Dynasty wrote the book "Essentials for Elevating the People", which emphasized that agricultural production must follow the laws of nature, crops must be planted according to the location, without delaying the farming season, and production techniques and tools must be reformed.

2. Promoted the prosperity of handicraft industry and commerce

As early as the Spring and Autumn Period, my country had invented pig iron smelting technology, 1,900 years earlier than Europe. In the late Spring and Autumn Period, the Jin State cast its written criminal law on an iron tripod and promulgated it. During the Warring States Period, there were more than 30 iron mines.

At that time, the salt cooking industry, textile industry and lacquerware industry all made significant progress. "Tiangong Kaiwu" compiled by Song Yingxing, a scientist in the late Ming Dynasty, summarized the agricultural and handicraft production technologies of the Ming Dynasty and reflected the production appearance of my country's handicraft factories during the Ming Dynasty. It introduced the scissors of Wang Mazi in Beijing and Zhang Xiaoquan in Hangzhou, using the technology of "steel clamping" and "steel pasting"; gas can be eliminated during coal mining; jacquard machines in the textile industry, etc. These were the best in the world at that time.

3. Plays an important role in water conservancy projects, construction projects, transportation, textiles and other fields

Dujiangyan in the Qin Dynasty is a world-famous flood control and irrigation project. It divided the Minjiang River into inner rivers and Waijiang. The inner river is used for irrigation and the outer river is used for flood diversion, which avoids floods and irrigates farmland. The Zhaozhou Bridge, designed and constructed by Li Chun, an outstanding craftsman of the Sui Dynasty, is the oldest existing stone arch bridge in the world. There are two small arches above each end of the large arch of the bridge, which can reduce the pressure of the weight of the bridge body on the bridge foundation and reduce the impact of rapids on the bridge body in case of floods. The famous architect Yu Wenkai of the Sui Dynasty designed the Sui capital Daxing City and Tokyo Luoyang City, and directed the construction of the two cities. By the Northern Song Dynasty, compasses were used in navigation. The ships of the Song Dynasty were equipped with compass needles, which could identify the direction no matter day or night, rain or fog. During the Southern Song Dynasty, the compass was introduced to Europe, providing important conditions for European navigators to sail around the world and discover new continents.

4. Plays a decisive role in the military

Mechanical technology plays a decisive role in the military. The manufacturing 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 military affairs. During the Song Dynasty, gunpowder was widely used in military affairs. Gunpowder weapons at that time included rockets, muskets and artillery. In the 13th and 14th centuries, gunpowder and weapons were introduced to Arabia and Europe. By the Yuan Dynasty, large metal tubular firearms called "fire guns" were highly valued in the military. During the Mongolian Western Expedition, they repeatedly used gunpowder weapons to attack cities in Central Asia and Persia. During the war, the Arabs learned to make gunpowder and gunpowder weapons.

3 The practical significance of the history of science and technology in ancient China

The study of the history of Chinese machinery 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, ancient Chinese mechanical engineering technology is an important part of Chinese scientific culture, and the technical achievements of traditional machinery are my country’s outstanding scientific and cultural heritage. Therefore, the study of ancient Chinese mechanical history has important cultural value. Mechanical technology has always occupied a core position in the history of human material culture. The development stages of human civilization are generally marked by the important achievements of mechanical technology as the main division mark, which is the best explanation. Our ancestors created many outstanding mechanical scientific and technological achievements and left a large amount of material and cultural wealth for future generations. Discovering, sorting and studying these mechanical achievements will undoubtedly be extremely beneficial to enriching the scientific and cultural treasure house of the motherland. However, the work in this area has not been carried out enough in the past. The history of Chinese mechanical engineering machinery is still an area that needs to be developed. Under the current circumstances, it is also particularly important to further carry out research on the history of Chinese machinery.

Second, technological development has strong inheritance and regularity. The study of Chinese mechanical history can help reveal the characteristics of technological development, review the past and learn the new, and clarify directions and trends, so it is of great importance. reference value. The successful experiences and failures in mechanical science and technology in China's history are of great reference value for the development of today's science and technology. Ancient Chinese concepts of technology and technological philosophy related to machinery still have reference value for our understanding of the relationship between technology and people, technology and the environment, and technology and society. Some ancient Chinese technological ideas, methods and measures are in line with the requirements of the modern sustainable development era, and are also a positive reference for understanding and solving a series of negative effects such as environmental pollution, energy and resource depletion brought by technology to modern society. significance. The study of China's modern mechanical history has a direct reference role in formulating national technology planning, technology development and introduction policies and strategies.

Third, study and study the history of ancient Chinese mechanical engineering, clarify the rise and fall of traditional Chinese mechanical technology, and understand the lives, achievements and thoughts of scientists and inventors. Not only can you learn scientific and historical knowledge, We can also gain inspiration and lessons from it, so the history of Chinese machinery also has a relatively important educational value and role. The dissemination of knowledge on the history of mechanical engineering technology helps people understand the ins and outs of the concepts and principles 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, knowledge of mechanical history can broaden their horizons.

Fourth, by studying the history of ancient Chinese machinery, it is not difficult to find that some ancient mechanical technologies, processes and principles still play a role or have practical value in modern times. Traditional Chinese agricultural machinery and ancient agricultural tools are widely used in agricultural production and have strong vitality. Many traditional metal crafts in our country still play an important role in practical applications. The bronze arrowheads unearthed from the tomb of Qin Shihuang have a dense black layer containing chromium on the surface, which has not corroded after being buried underground for more than two thousand years. Modern metallographic research proves that this treatment has strong corrosion resistance. This surface treatment technology obviously has ancient and present value. There are many similar examples. The study of ancient mechanical history helps to understand and discover the modern significance and practical value of traditional machinery.

During the Seventh Five-Year Plan period, large-scale soda ash plants with an annual output of 600,000 tons in Tangshan, Hebei and Lianyungang, Jiangsu were designed using advanced technology independently developed by my country. The machinery manufacturing department successfully developed carbonization towers, calciners, alkali filters, There are eight complete sets of key equipment including titanium plate heat exchangers and buried scraper conveyors. Most of the other equipment is supplied domestically. The annual output of Weifang, Shandong Province has been localized based on the introduction of part of foreign technology and equipment, and all three alkali plants have been successfully put into operation. The design and equipment manufacturing of China's large-scale soda ash plants can be fully based in China, and it has begun to export complete sets of large-scale soda ash technology and equipment.

In 1984, China introduced ion membrane electrolyzer manufacturing technology and provided equipment to 14 manufacturers, accounting for 70% of domestic ion membrane coal caustic soda capacity. In 1993, China innovatively developed a Chinese-style electrolyzer, which was developed by China National Chemical Corporation. China's first domestically produced 10,000 t/a ion membrane caustic soda plant organized and implemented by the Equipment Corporation was completed in Cangzhou Chemical Plant on July 27, 1993. It was successfully put into production at the first time and passed the national acceptance. This set of equipment has been improved and innovated on the basis of extensive digestion and absorption of domestic and foreign advanced technologies. The process design was carried out by Tianjin Dagu Chemical Plant Design Institute. The core equipment includes 82 finalized equipment, 127 non-standard equipment, ion The membrane electrolyzer was designed and manufactured by Beijing Chemical Machinery Factory, reaching the level of similar foreign devices at the same time. Other special equipment, materials, instruments, and valves were provided by relevant domestic manufacturers. The localization rate of the entire device reached more than 90%. This set of equipment operates in a balanced and reliable manner, with the characteristics of high product purity, energy saving, high efficiency, and no environmental pollution. The main technical and economic indicators have reached the level of imported equipment. The successful construction of this device has ended China's dependence on imports for ion membrane caustic soda production equipment, marking that China has basically possessed the complete manufacturing capability for ion membrane caustic soda equipment. Since then, chemical plants in Guangzhou, Xinjiang, Baotou, Bengbu, and Yunnan have all used domestic electrolyzers for ion membrane caustic soda.