Prolific Inventors in China

Prolific inventors and scientists in China include Cai Lun (50–62 – 121 CE), credited as the inventor of paper and the modern papermaking process; Zhang Heng (AD 78–139), the prolific inventor of the water-powered armillary sphere and seismoscope, also improved the inflow water clock; Charles K. Kao (1933 – 2018), a pioneer in the development and use of fibre optics in telecommunications; Bi Sheng  (990 – 1052), is credited with inventing movable type printing; Shen Kuo (1031–1095), described the magnetic needle compass, discovered the concept of true north; Thonmi Sambhota – the inventor of the Tibetan script.

That was then. We now have a new breed of innovators leading China today. USPTO Utility data was analyzed from January 1, 2002, through April 25, 2023.

Please click here for an exhaustive list of ALL inventors in China