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Zhang Heng
Definition
Zhang Heng was a Chinese scientist, engineer, and inventor who lived in the Eastern Han dynasty. He is best known for his invention of the seismoscope, which was used to detect earthquakes.
The seismoscope was a large, bronze vessel with eight dragons on the outside. Each dragon held a ball in its mouth. When an earthquake occurred, the balls would fall out of the dragons' mouths and into a toad at the bottom of the vessel.
Zhang Heng's seismoscope was the first instrument to detect earthquakes. It was a major breakthrough in the field of seismology.
How can the word be used?
Zhang Heng's seismometer was an early seismometer invented by Zhang Heng in 132 AD.
Different forms of the word
Noun:
Zhang Heng (a Chinese polymathic scientist and statesman who lived during the Han dynasty).
Etymology
The word "Zhang Heng" is a Chinese name. It is made up of the characters "Zhang" (张) and "Heng" (衡). The character "Zhang" means "to extend" or "to spread", and the character "Heng" means "balance" or "equilibrium".
The name "Zhang Heng" can be translated as "extending balance" or "spreading equilibrium". This is a reference to Zhang Heng's contributions to science and engineering, which helped to extend knowledge and understanding of the world.
Question
What is Zhang Heng famous for?