# data[].attributes.body
During this time, it was common to eat rice, millet, tea, and tofu.

# data[].attributes.body
Su Song worked with other mathmeticians and artisans to build the water clock.

# data[].attributes.body
Su Yong worked alongside other scholars to compile and edit Bencao Tujing, a book on pharmaceutical information.

# data[].attributes.body
Su Song provided illustrations of the water clock tower in his book, Xin Yi Xiang Fa Yao.

# data[].attributes.body
As a poet, he would have created similar looking poems like this one.

# data[].attributes.body
The Ben Cao Tu Jing was a book written by Su Song and others.

# data[].attributes.body
A page from the Chinese calendar which Su Song was an expert on.

# data[].attributes.body
An endless roller chain and sprocket used in the clock tower to operate the rotation of the armillary sphere.

# data[].attributes.body
The "celestial ladder" in Su Song's book--the oldest illustration of an endless power transmitting chain drive.

# data[].attributes.body
Su Song's armillary sphere on top of the water clock for astronomers to use.

# data[].attributes.body
Star map drawn out by Su Song.

# data[].attributes.body
Chinese astronomer using a device before Su Song's invention.

# data[].attributes.body
Chinese constellations that would have been viewed using Su Song's water clock.

# data[].attributes.body
Life size replica of the water clock located in Suwa.

# data[].attributes.body
A replica of an amillary sphere Su Song created to calibrate astronomical observations.

# data[].attributes.body
He was an expert in Chinese medicine herbs.

# data[].attributes.body
a 5 foot replica of his water clock.

# data[].attributes.body
Typical attire that he would have worn during his life.

# data[].attributes.body
Su Song was a schoar during the Song Dynasty.

# data[].attributes.body
As an art collector, this is a traditional painting that would have been commonly seen in his collection.

# data[].attributes.body
A cut out view of the layout of his massive water clock and how it operates.

# data[].attributes.body
As a cartographer, he drew out maps of the world.

# data[].attributes.body
A blueprint of his water clock in his records.

# data[].attributes.body
He was a scholar, meaning he would often meet with other scholars to perform their political duties.

# data[].attributes.body
Su Song was born ion China in 1020 and later died in 1101. He was a very successful man with many accomplishments. He was a polymath, poet, cartographer, art collector, astronomer, expert on the complex properties of the Chinese calendar, a prize-winning scholar, a statesman, and an expert in Chinese medicine[1]. Although he is known for his vast knowledge, he is most known for his contribution to horology by designing one of the most important and desired inventions of the time--a massive, roughly 3-story tall astronomical tower clock[2]. He built it in Kaifeng and it took him 12 years, finishing in 1088. The tower clocked worked by using an inflow of water that came from a supply tank that was kept at a constant volume so that the rate of water flow never varied. Unfortunately, the clock was destroyed in 1127 by Manchurian army who disassembled and were unable to reassemble it due to its complexity[3]. Su Song’s water clock was an important invention to China because it was the first working mechanical clock that kept accurate time as well as allowed people to observe constellations that were important to Chinese astrology.[4] Even with today’s technology, we have been unsuccessful in creating a fully functioning replica of Su Song’s masterpiece which shows just how magnificent it really was.

[1] Forster, Jack. “Past Masters: The Astronomic Water Clock of Su Song”, Revolution. https://www.revolution.watch/past-masters-the-astronomical-water-clock-of-su-song/?archive. Last Day Accessed: 2/25/2018.
[2] Rivers, Dara. “Waterclock”, Middle Age Technologies. http://fourriverscharter.org/projects/Inventions/pages/china_waterclock.htm. Last Day Accessed 2/25/2018.
[3]Forster, Jack. “Past Masters: The Astronomic Water Clock of Su Song”, Revolution. https://www.revolution.watch/past-masters-the-astronomical-water-clock-of-su-song/?archive. Last Day Accessed: 2/25/2018.
[4]Rivers, Dara. “Waterclock”, Middle Age Technologies. http://fourriverscharter.org/projects/Inventions/pages/china_waterclock.htm. Last Day Accessed 2/25/2018