This 1637 classic on the history of traditional Chinese technology, profusely illustrated with 152 original woodcuts, covers agriculture, textiles, mining, metallurgy, chemical engineering, boat-building weapons manufacture, and more. Rich in scientific and historical background, its many annotations round out an impressive survey of technological progress.

The book "Heavenly Creations" (天工开物, Tian Gong Kai Wu) was first published in 1637 (Ming Chongzhen decade Landmarks), a total of three volumes eighteen, the book is a collection of agriculture, handicrafts, such as machinery, brick , ceramics, sulfur , candle, paper, weapons, gunpowder , textile, dyeing, salt production, coal mining, oil extraction and other production technologies. "Tian Gong Kai Wu" is the first comprehensive work on agriculture and handicraft production in the world. It is a comprehensive scientific and technical work in ancient China. Some people also call it an encyclopedic work. The author is Ming The scientist Song Yingxing . Foreign scholars call it "China's 17th century craft encyclopedia." In the book, the author emphasizes that human beings should coordinate with nature and manpower should be compatible with natural forces. It is the most abundant preserved document in China's scientific and technological history. It focuses more on the handicraft industry and reflects the productivity of China during the last years of the Ming Dynasty.