Asia has always been the birthplace of thought and innovation, the cradle of knowledge and invention. Some of the most basic inventions created in Asia such as the modern number system, silk, toothbrushes and gunpowder are still very much in use today.

Lets take a look down memory lane to see the inventions that originated from various Asian nations.

Silk, gunpowder, ink, the toothbrush, the kite, abacus, toilet paper, porcelain, the magnetic compass and the circulation of paper currency all came from China. While enough has been chronicled about China’s silk, gunpowder, abacus and porcelain, lets take a look at some of its more unconventional inventions. Toothbrushes initially made from bamboo and pig bristles placed at right angles were invented in the middle kingdom in 1498, they came to Europe only only 150-200 years later. The Chinese also claim they invented toilet paper way back in 589 A.D., atleast the first reference to the practice comes from Chinese court official Yan Zhitui in 589 A.D..

At about the same time, across the Himalaya’s Indians were busy inventing the game of Chess and the modern number system. About says that the game of chess probably evolved from a four-sided Indian game played with dice and a board. The original game, called Chaturanga, was used to teach military tactics. After some time, the game was simplified into a two-player strategy contest. Chess spread to Persia, Arabia, and finally into Europe in the eighth century, via the Moorish occupation of Spain and Portugal. The modern numbering system used today in the western world was first developed around 500 A.D. by the Indian mathematician and astronomer, Aryabhata I.

Korean Goryeo Dynasty minister Choe Yun-ui is credited for inventing the metal movable type. His first book, “Sangjeong yemun,” which detailed the manners and social niceties of the Korean court from ancient times through the 1234 was printed in the movable type.

Japan most famed invention is also any travellers best surprise - the washlet bidet toilet - the world’s most complicated option packed toilets. Invented in 1980 the washlet offers the ultimate bathroom experience. Features offered may include: a lid that automatically raises and lowers itself, based on motion detectors; a bidet that will squirt warm or cool water for washing private parts, in a steady stream or pulses; an air-dryer; musical accompaniment to cover the sound of urination; a heated seat; and automatic flush. These bidets are so complicated that foreign users often have trouble finding the flush button! The credit for inventing the playstation game console, which brought gaming to the masses further goes to Japanese inventor Ken Kutaragi.

Singapore inventor Sim Wong Hoo the founding CEO of Singapore-based Creative Technology, invented the Sound Blaster card for personal computers. This card, first produced in 1989, was one of the first commonly used to add sound to computers.

Readers are more than welcome to send in inventions from Asia not mentioned above that they are aware of.

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