Han Dynasty Seismograph

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The seismograph was arguably the most important achievement of the Han Dynasty in ancient China. This sophisticated device was used to detect and measure the intensity of earthquakes, making it a crucial tool for disaster management and public safety. One of the earliest recorded seismographs was invented by Zhang Heng, a renowned polymath and astronomer of the Han Dynasty. The device consisted of a large bronze vessel with eight dragon heads, each pointing in a different direction. Inside the vessel, there was a pendulum that could detect the slightest movement of the earth and trigger the release of a small ball from one of the dragon's mouths, indicating the direction and intensity of the earthquake. The seismograph was a groundbreaking