History of science & technology in 'old' China

That it was in ancient China where papermaking technology, printing technique, compass and gunpowder were first invented is now a well-known fact in the history of science. However, according to research initiated by British scholar Dr. Joseph Needham ('1900-1995') and his team of international experts, 'the scientific 'breakthroughs and also technological achivements of the ancient Chinese were actually more than popularly known. The monumental work of Dr. Needham and his associates is still being translated into the modern Chinese language.