Watched the History Channel again talk about how the Chinese, being the first to develop gunpowder, were able to modify the type of mixtures to produce both slow and fast burning chemical explosives (Not a surprising thing from what Americans learn in elementary school history).

What I had no idea about was that the Chinese produced short-range flamethrowers, that though it was more psychological than useful, the Chinese flamethrowers were often used on the front lines of Chinese military lines during the Song Dynasty.

The Chinese were able to produce many innovative and completely new inventions in the military arena (and others as well of course). Other weapons included the triple crossbow, a 25 foot long crossbow used for long-range weaponry that could fire a mile away. It was mounted on a pivot for accuracy and mobility to hit a specified target.

The most surprsing? Chinese landmines in the 13th century–timed landmines similar to those used in Vietnam thousand years later.

Keep in mind the Chinese ability to innovate and invent when China begins to reach the top again.