双语科技百科(物理) 第37期:中国传入西方的机械技术

Chinese Mechanical Inventions that Contributed to the World

中国传入西方的机械技术

A common stereotype is that the Chinese have traditionally lacked scientif-ic and technological ability,despite the four great revolutionary inven-tions of paper making, printing, gunpowder, and compass that have essentially changed the world. However, Chinese people have made a lot of other significant mechanicalinventions besides the famous four, providing the source of many of the prerequisite technologies of modernity. From the 6th to the 15th century, China was the world’s most technologically advanced society.

在很多人心目中，传统的中华文化似乎缺乏对科学技术的应用，可事实并非如此。除了对人类社会发展产生了巨大影响的四大发明之外，中国古代在科学技术方面也取得了辉煌的成就。中国古代的很多机械发明为人类社会的现代化提供了必要的条件。从公元6世纪到15世纪，中国一直是世界上科学技术最为发达的国家。从中国传往世界各地的技术发明中，最为显赫的还是活字印刷术、火药、指南针。

Here are some of the most celebrated mechanical inventions from China that have exerted profound influences on the development of other societies, especially when they were passed to the West:

以下是一些由中国传人其他国家的重要机械技术，它们一经进入了西方，便对西方社会的发展，乃至人类历史的进程都产生了巨大的影响：

Cast iron

铸铁

The double-acting piston bellows

活塞风箱

The crank handle ( used for starting an engine)

手摇曲柄

The gimbals ( as in the ancient Chinese Incense Burner)

平衡环（被中香炉）

Manufacture of steel from cast iron

皮带传送

The belt drive ( or driving-belt)

水力应用

Water power

方板链泵

The chain pump

蒸气机基本原理

Essentials of the steam engine

链条传动

The chain drive (in which an endless wheel transmits power from an engine)

独轮车

The wheelbarrow

滑动测径仪

Sliding calipers ( a kind of compass used for measuring diameters)

机械钟表装置

The fishing reel

永明灯

The umbrella

纺车

The mechanical clock

轮式碾磨机

“Permanent”lamps

船尾舵

The spinning wheel

航海磁罗盘

Rudder