[Kisil]

The seeds of innovation were there earlier, though. The rifle industry comes to mind - I remember reading that innovative rifles with better range played some part in colonial militias' success in the US revolutionary war. One could argue that was more craftsmanship than innovation, but there's a strong connection between making things well and making better things, and China isn't famous for quality goods either.

[papersmith]

"One could argue that was more craftsmanship than innovation, but there's a strong connection between making things well and making better things, and China isn't famous for quality goods either."

That's because they weren't taught in our textbooks.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Chinese_inventions

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_science_and_technolo...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinoiserie