Why was the ancient black technology Zhang Heng geodynamic instrument deleted from the history books, and what is it?

Everyone in the world knows that Zhang Heng invented the geodynamic instrument, but they don't know that this "ancient black technology" quietly disappeared from history textbooks one day. Is this miraculous device, once hailed as one of the four great inventions of ancient China, really as miraculous as the legend suggests? Why does it fade into modern memory? And today, how should we look at this once brilliant invention?

It is said that in the fourth year of Yonghe in the Eastern Han Dynasty (139 AD), an uninvited guest came to the court. This person was dressed in Confucian clothes, with a clear face and bright eyes. He held a copy of the book in his hand and went straight to the Taiwei Mansion. This uninvited guest was Zhang Heng, who was famous at that time.

Zhang Heng, the word Pingzi, is a native of Nanyang and Xi'e. He was not only a well-educated man, but also a multi-talented scientist. In that era of advocating classics, Zhang Heng was unique, obsessed with astronomy, mathematics and mechanical engineering.

At this time, Zhang Heng was over the age of six, but his spirit was getting more and more refreshed. He came to the Taiwei Mansion for a major event - to present to the imperial court the "Wind and Earth Motion Instrument" that he had spent many years developing.

When the lieutenant heard that Zhang Heng was coming, he hurriedly went out to greet him. "Lord Zhang, who are you?" The lieutenant asked suspiciously.

Zhang Heng bowed his hand and said, "The lower official has something to offer to the imperial court, and I hope that Lord Taiwei will look at it." "

The lieutenant took the fold, only to see that it was densely filled with words, and a fine drawing was attached. He looked at it and exclaimed, "What is this?" It looks very strange! "

Zhang Heng smiled slightly and began to introduce his invention to the Tai Lieutenant. It turned out that this "Wind Weather Ground Motion Instrument" was a bronze cast instrument, eight feet high, and twelve feet around. The instrument is shaped like a wine venerable, with a dragon head on each side, and below the head of the dragon head are eight toads with large open mouths. Inside the instrument is an ingenious mechanism that senses seismic fluctuations.

The Taiwei nodded again and again when he heard this, but he still had doubts in his heart: "Lord Zhang, can this thing really predict earthquakes?" "

Zhang Heng said: "Although this thing cannot predict earthquakes, it can perceive earthquakes in the distance. If there is an earthquake, the dragon head in the corresponding direction will spit out copper pellets and fall into the toad's mouth, making a sound. In this way, we can know where the earthquake occurred. "

When Taiwei heard this, he couldn't help but be in awe of Zhang Heng. He knows that in this era of frequent earthquakes, if he can get the earthquake information in time, he will definitely save countless lives.

Just five years before Zhang Heng explained the geodynamic instrument to Taiwei, that is, in the winter of the fourth year of Yonghe (139 AD), an incredible thing happened.

That day, Zhang Heng was studying the geodynamic instrument at home, and suddenly heard a "click" sound from the instrument, and the dragon head in the northwest direction spit out a copper pill. Zhang Heng was shocked, and hurriedly sent someone to the northwest to inquire about the news.

A few days later, news came that a strong earthquake had struck Longxi (present-day southeastern Gansu Province), causing serious damage. This incident not only confirmed the effectiveness of the geodynamic instrument, but also made Zhang Heng famous in the government and the opposition.

However, Zhang Heng was not complacent because of this. He knows that there is still a lot of room for improvement in the ground motion instrument. As a result, he worked day and night to improve the design, and finally developed a new and more accurate ground motion instrument five years later.

After listening to Zhang Heng's story, Taiwei couldn't help but sigh: "Lord Zhang's move is really for the benefit of the common people!" "

Zhang Heng said humbly: "The lower officials don't dare to take credit, they only hope that this thing can do some modest help for the country and the people." "

Taiwei immediately decided to bring the matter to the emperor. Soon after, Zhang Heng's geodynamic instrument was placed in the imperial palace in Luoyang and began its "duty career".

Since then, this miraculous instrument has begun to play its role, leaving many magical stories for future generations. However, with the passage of time, the structure and principle of the geokinetic instrument gradually became a mystery. To this day, we are still trying to solve this puzzle from nearly two thousand years ago.

As the fame of Zhang Heng's geodynamic instrument spread far and wide, many scholars and craftsmen became interested in this magical device. However, due to the vicissitudes of history, the specific structure and working principle of the geodynamic instrument have become a mystery. Later scholars were able to speculate and reconstruct based on limited historical sources.

In the "Biography ·of Zhang Heng in the Book of the Later Han Dynasty", there is such a description of the geodynamic instrument: "The wind instrument in the spirit making platform is made of fine copper, with a diameter of eight feet, like a wine honor. This brief account provides valuable clues for posterity. Based on this description, we can imagine that the geokinetic instrument was a round copper vessel that resembled an ancient wine venerable.

The Song Dynasty scientist Shen Kuo also recorded the geodynamic instrument in his "Mengxi Writings". He mentions that inside the geodynamic instrument there is an upside-down pendulum surrounded by eight brackets. These records provide an important reference for later generations to understand the internal structure of the geodynamic instrument.

Based on these historical records, modern scholars have made various speculations and reconstructions of the structure of the geodynamic instrument. Among them, the most well-known is the model made by Wang Zhenduo in 1951. This model shows a delicately shaped copper vessel surrounded by eight dragon heads and eight toads.

However, the working principle of the geodynamic instrument is still a mystery to be solved. Some scholars have suggested that the geodynamic instrument may have used the propagation principle of seismic waves. When an earthquake occurs at a distance, seismic waves travel through the surface to the location of the geokinetic instrument. The mechanism inside the geokinetic device may react to this tiny vibration, triggering the dragon head in the corresponding direction to spit out copper pellets.

Another speculation is that the geokinetic instrument may have used some sort of liquid equilibrium principle. The container may contain mercury or other liquids, and when an earthquake occurs, the shaking of the liquid can cause changes in the internal mechanism, which in turn triggers an alarm mechanism.

While all of these speculations have some validity, we can't be sure which claim is closest to the truth due to the lack of hard evidence. This is one of the reasons why geokinetic instruments are so mysterious and fascinating.

It is worth noting that although the geodynamic instrument was called a "black technology" at the time, it is still very different from modern seismographs in principle and function. Modern seismographs mainly analyze earthquakes by recording various parameters of seismic waves, while geodynamic instruments are more like a simple earthquake alarm device.

However, this should not underestimate the value of geodynamics. In ancient times, nearly 2,000 years ago, the ability to manufacture such an elaborate instrument was a remarkable achievement in itself. More importantly, the invention of the geodynamic instrument reflects our ancestors' attention to natural disasters and the wisdom of coping with them.

In the hundreds of years since the invention of the geokinetic instrument, Chinese scientists have been working to improve the device. According to records, the Tang Dynasty astronomer monk and his entourage once improved the design of the geodynamic instrument. Scientists in the Song Dynasty also made several improvements to the geodynamic instrument. Although these efforts did not completely solve the mystery of the geodynamic instrument, they laid an important foundation for future seismic research.

Interestingly, the principle of the geodynamic instrument is similar in some ways to modern earthquake early warning systems. Modern earthquake early warning systems also warn of areas that have not yet been strongly shaken by sensing distant seismic waves. To some extent, this confirms Zhang Heng's foresight.

Although we have not been able to fully restore the structure and principle of the geokinetic instrument, this does not prevent us from admiring this ancient invention. The existence of the geodynamic instrument not only reflects the height of ancient Chinese science and technology, but also highlights the deep insight of our ancestors into the laws of nature. It is like a bridge across time and space, closely linking ancient wisdom with modern technology.

With the continuous advancement of archaeological technology and the deepening of interdisciplinary research, we may one day be able to unravel the full mysteries of geodynamic instruments. But until then, this mysterious installation from the distant past will continue to spark our imagination and desire to explore.

Since the advent of Zhang Heng's geodynamic instrument, it has been like a dazzling pearl, shining brightly in the history of Chinese science and technology. However, this pearl gradually disappeared in the long river of history, and finally disappeared without a trace. Let us follow the footsteps of history and explore the history of the rise and fall of geokinetic instruments.

During the Eastern Han Dynasty, when the geodynamic instrument first came out, it caused a sensation in the government and the opposition. According to the "Later Han Shu · Zhang Heng Biography", the geokinetic instrument can not only accurately indicate the direction of earthquakes, but also detect small vibrations that people cannot feel. This miraculous ability was undoubtedly a revolutionary invention at the time.

There is an interesting story about the first successful prediction of an earthquake by a geokinetic machine. It is said that one day not long after the geodynamic instrument was placed in the Luoyang Imperial Palace, a dragon head suddenly spit out copper pills and made a crisp sound. The officials present were amazed and speculated whether the instrument was malfunctioning. However, Zhang Heng said with a solemn expression: "There must be a big earthquake in the northwest." "

Sure enough, a few days later, the imperial court received news that a strong earthquake had struck Longxi (present-day southeastern Gansu Province), causing severe damage. This incident not only confirmed the effectiveness of the geodynamic instrument, but also made Zhang Heng famous in the government and the opposition.

However, with the death of Zhang Heng, the fate of the geodynamic instrument also began to change. Over the next few centuries, the geokinetic records became less and less obscure.

By the Tang Dynasty, the geodynamic instrument seems to have been lost. However, its legend is still passed down among the people. There is an interesting story that during the reign of Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty, the famous astronomer monk and his entourage once tried to restore the geodynamic instrument. It is said that he spent a lot of time studying ancient books and finally made a similar device. However, history has not left a record of how effective this device was.

During the Song Dynasty, the geodynamic instrument once again aroused the interest of scholars. The famous scientist Shen Kuo described in detail the structure and principle of the geodynamic instrument in his "Mengxi Writings". However, Shen Kuo's description is based more on speculation than on what he saw with his own eyes. This also reflects from the side that by the Song Dynasty, the original geodynamic instrument may have completely disappeared.

In the Ming and Qing dynasties, the records of the geodynamic instrument were even rarer. There is an anecdote that an official in the Ming Dynasty stumbled upon a record of a geodynamic instrument while sorting out ancient books. He became intrigued by this magical device and even wanted to restore it. However, due to the lack of detailed technical information, his attempt ultimately failed.

The disappearance of the geodynamic instrument did not happen overnight. The process of its decline can be said to be a microcosm of the development of science and technology in ancient China.

First of all, the manufacturing process of the geodynamic instrument may be too complex to pass on. As a genius scientist, many of Zhang Heng's ideas may have surpassed the technical level of the time. After his death, probably no one could fully understand and reproduce this complex device.

Secondly, the use of ground motion instruments may require specialized knowledge and experience. Without the right people to operate and maintain it, even a preserved geokinetic instrument can be damaged due to improper use.

In addition, wars and dynastic changes may have led to the physical destruction of the geodynamic instrument. Many large-scale wars and turmoil in Chinese history have likely led to the loss of many precious cultural relics, and the geodynamic instrument may be one of them.

Finally, as the times have changed, so have people's perceptions of earthquakes and how they respond to them. Although the geodynamic instrument was a revolutionary invention at the time, it may not be able to meet the higher requirements of later generations for earthquake prediction.

Despite this, the position of the geodynamic instrument in the history of Chinese science and technology is still unshakable. It represents the keen observation and deep understanding of natural phenomena by ancient Chinese scientists. Even today, the geokinetic instrument remains a symbol of ancient Chinese scientific and technological wisdom, inspiring generations of scientists to continue to explore the mysteries of nature.

The disappearance of the geodynamic instrument has left us with many regrets and questions. However, it is precisely these unsolved mysteries that make the geodynamic instrument still fascinating today. It's like a time-traveling puzzle, waiting to be solved by future generations. Perhaps one day, we will be able to rediscover the secrets of the geokinetic instrument and recreate this ancient and miraculous invention.

With the passage of time, although Zhang Heng's geodynamic instrument has long disappeared in the long river of history, the scientific spirit and innovative ideas it represents have always inspired future generations. With the help of modern technology, many scholars and research institutions have begun to try to restore this ancient and magical device, hoping to unravel its mysteries.

In the 50s of the 20th century, researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences began the first systematic attempt to restore the geodynamic instrument. Based on the records in the Book of the Later Han Dynasty and combined with modern seismological knowledge, they produced a simplified version of the model of the geodynamic instrument. Although this model could not really detect earthquakes, it laid the foundation for subsequent research.

In 1951, archaeologist Wang Zhenduo proposed a more detailed restoration plan for the geodynamic instrument. His design includes eight dragon heads and eight toads, which is closer to the historical record. Wang Zhenduo's model attracted widespread attention at the time and became the main cognitive image of people's geodynamic instrument.

However, Wang Zhenduo's model has also sparked controversy. Some scholars have questioned whether such an intricate decoration would affect the sensitivity of the instrument. It was also noted that some of the structures in the model appear to be more for aesthetic than functional considerations.

In 2005, researchers from the Shaanxi Provincial Earthquake Bureau proposed a new restoration plan. They believe that the geodynamic instrument may have used the principles of fluid mechanics. In their design, the geokinetic instrument is equipped with mercury inside, and when an earthquake occurs, the flow of mercury triggers an alarm mechanism. This design does respond to small vibrations in a laboratory environment, but its effectiveness remains to be verified.

In 2007, a team of researchers at Zhejiang University suggested another possibility. They believe that the geokinetic instrument may have adopted some kind of sophisticated mechanical structure, similar to modern precision instruments. The models they produced were able to react to vibrations in multiple directions, but their sensitivity and accuracy were far from those of historical geokinesis.

These attempts at restoration, while each with their own characteristics, face the same challenge: how to conjecture a design that is both in line with ancient technology and capable of its intended function, based on the limited historical record.

The complexity of this challenge is also reflected in the controversy that has arisen during the recovery process. For example, some scholars have suggested that the geodynamic instrument may not be a separate device, but a complex observation system. They speculated that Zhang Heng may have set up observation points at multiple locations to determine the direction and intensity of earthquakes by comparing data from different locations.

There is also an opinion that the function of the geokinetic instrument may have been exaggerated by later generations. They believe that geokinesis may only be able to detect earthquakes that are very close to each other, rather than earthquakes hundreds of kilometers away, as is recorded in history.

Although these controversies have increased the difficulty of restoration, they have also promoted the deepening of research. Every new attempt provides us with more ideas and possibilities.

It is worth mentioning that the restoration of geodynamic instruments is not limited to China. Scholars from Japan, Korea and other countries have also shown strong interest in this area. Based on their respective cultural backgrounds, they put forward some unique insights that add new perspectives to the study of geokinetic instruments.

For example, some researchers in Japan believe that the geokinetic instrument may have some similarities with Japan's traditional earthquake early warning system. They tried to compare the two systems in the hope of finding some inspiration.

Scholars in Korea have focused on the connection between geokinetic instruments and ancient technology on the Korean Peninsula. They found that similar devices were also recorded in ancient Korean documents, which provided a new reference for the study of geokinetic instruments.

These international collaborations have not only promoted the progress of geokinetic instrument research, but also promoted the exchange and mutual learning of the history of ancient science and technology in East Asia.

However, despite years of hard work, it seems that we are still far from fully restoring the Zhangheng geodynamic instrument. Each attempt was like a jigsaw puzzle, and we found some pieces, but the whole picture remained blurry.

This situation has also led to some reflection: Should we change the way we think about recovery? Perhaps, instead of obsessing with replicating ancient designs exactly, it is better to try to achieve the same function with modern technology. After all, the true value of the geodynamic instrument lies in the scientific spirit and innovative ideas it embodies, not just its physical form.

In any case, attempts at the restoration of the geodynamic instrument continue. Every attempt is a tribute to the wisdom of the ancients and the inheritance of the spirit of scientific exploration. Although we may never be able to fully restore Zhang Heng's geodynamic instrument, the process itself has become an excellent example of the dialogue between modern technology and ancient wisdom.

Although Zhang Heng's geodynamic instrument was born nearly 2,000 years ago, it still has an important influence in modern seismology. This ancient invention is not only the pride of ancient Chinese science and technology, but also provides valuable inspiration for the development of modern seismology.

First of all, the ground motion instrument embodies the concept of all-round monitoring. Historically, geodynamic cameras have been able to detect earthquakes in eight directions, a design that coincides with modern seismic monitoring networks. The Global Earthquake Monitoring Network, established by contemporary seismologists, is a modern extension of this concept. For example, the National Earthquake Monitoring and Forecasting Network established by the China Earthquake Administration includes thousands of monitoring stations scattered across the country. These stations form a dense network that monitors seismic activity from all angles and from all angles.

Secondly, the sensitivity of the geodynamic instrument has inspired modern scientists. Zhang Heng's geodynamic instrument is said to be able to detect small tremors that cannot be felt by humans, and this characteristic is fully reflected in modern seismographs. Modern ultra-high-sensitivity seismographs can not only detect tiny seismic waves, but can even capture seismic signals from far away on the other side of the world. For example, when the Great Fukushima Earthquake occurred in Japan in 2011, seismic instruments in the United States were able to clearly record the shock waves.

Another important feature of the geodynamic instrument is its early warning function. Although modern science has not yet fully mastered the method of earthquake prediction, the development of earthquake early warning system coincides with the concept of geodynamic instrument. Modern earthquake early warning systems use the principle of difference in the propagation speed of seismic waves to sound the alarm before the destructive S wave arrives, buying people precious escape time. This line of thinking can be said to be a modern interpretation of the early warning function of Zhang Heng's geodynamic instrument.

In 2008, after the devastating earthquake in Wenchuan, Sichuan, China accelerated the construction of an earthquake early warning system. By 2023, China has built the world's largest land earthquake early warning system. The system's ability to provide early warning within seconds of an earthquake has played an important role in reducing casualties caused by earthquakes. To some extent, this achievement can be said to be the modern inheritance of the spirit of Zhang Heng's geokinetic instrument.

The design of the geodynamic instrument also reflects the idea of multidisciplinarity. Zhang Heng integrates knowledge from astronomy, geography, physics and other fields into the design of geodynamic instruments, and this interdisciplinary research method is fully reflected in modern seismology. Modern seismology involves not only geology, but also physics, chemistry, mathematics, computer science and other disciplines. For example, the establishment of seismic wave propagation models requires complex mathematical calculations and computer simulations.

The existence of the geokinetic instrument has also inspired scientists to respect and explore the wisdom of their predecessors. Although we may never be able to fully restore Zhang Heng's geokinetic instrument, the process itself is a valuable scientific exploration. It reminds us that the wisdom of the ancients may be beyond our imagination and is worthy of our in-depth study and reference.

In the field of earthquake prediction, the existence of geodynamic instruments also gives scientists confidence and motivation. Although modern science has not yet completely failed to effectively predict earthquakes, the fact that Zhang Heng was able to create instruments to detect earthquakes nearly 2,000 years ago is undoubtedly a great encouragement to researchers. It tells us that earthquake prediction, while difficult, is not impossible.

The influence of the geodynamic instrument has even extended to the field of earthquake science education. In many earthquake museums, restored models of ground motion instruments are important exhibits. It not only showcases the scientific and technological achievements of ancient China, but also provides a vivid teaching material for the public to understand earthquake knowledge. For example, in the Sichuan Earthquake Museum, there is a huge reconstruction model of the geodynamic instrument, which has attracted the attention of countless visitors.

In addition, the existence of geodynamic instruments also promotes international scientific and technological exchanges. As the world's first seismograph, the geokinetic instrument has attracted the attention of seismologists around the world. Scientists from many countries have participated in the research and restoration of geodynamic instruments, which not only promotes the progress of geodynamic instrument research, but also promotes international scientific and technological cooperation.

To some extent, the geodynamic instrument has become a symbol of ancient Chinese technology. It represents Chinese's understanding and response to natural disasters, and reflects the wisdom and innovative spirit of ancient Chinese scientists. This spirit has continued to this day and has become an important driving force for the development of modern earthquake science and technology in China.

With the continuous advancement of science and technology, the influence of geodynamic instruments on modern seismology may continue to be manifested in new forms. For example, with the support of artificial intelligence and big data technology, scientists are trying to build more accurate earthquake prediction models. Although these new technologies are far beyond the scope of cognition in Zhang Heng's time, the scientific spirit behind them is the same as the spirit of exploration embodied in the geodynamic instrument.

In general, although the geodynamic instrument is an ancient invention, the scientific ideas and innovative spirit contained in it still have a profound impact on modern seismology. It is not only an outstanding representative of ancient Chinese science and technology, but also an important bridge connecting the past and the present, and continues to inspire modern scientists to continue to explore and scale new heights in the field of earthquake research.