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Jang Yeong-sil

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Jang Yeong-sil was a Korean scientist and astronomer during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). He worked under the national civil service from around August 1418 to February 1450. He contributed to the golden era of Korean art, literature, and science under King Sejong the Great.


Early years

File:Records of Jang Young Sil.jpg
This is a historical text that mentions the accomplishments of Jang Young Sil.

There is no recording regarding the date of Jang's birth, and this was primarily because he was born as a gwan-no [1], a social class which functioned as servants in civil service district courts. Furthermore, Eastern Asian literature usually focused on the life of the high social class, and much less is known about the commoners [2]. At age of 10, he was separated from his mother, a gwan-gi (kisaeng), and he was sent to a civil court in Dongnae-hyeon [3]. There, he displayed talents in crafts and engineering by building machineries to make the lives of his fellow workers easier. These included aqueducts made out of bamboo shoots, canals for water irrigation [4], preventing spill from jars during conveyance by floating a wooden dish upside down on the opening [5], and fixing instruments in disrepair[6].

National civil service

King Sejong the Great instituted a policy of selecting officials based on their talent, not by their wealth nor social class. Jang's fame gained him entry into the royal court at Hanseong (present day Seoul), where selected commoners displayed their talents before the king and his advisers. Sejong saw that Jang met his expectations in crafts and engineering, and allowed Jang to work as a government official in the palace. [7]. The talented scientists recruited under King Sejong's new program worked at the Hall of Worthies (집현전; 集賢殿; Jiphyeonjeon)[8].

File:Hon Chon Eyee.jpg
Honcheonui, an astrolabe developed by Jang Yeong-sil

Astronomical Instruments

Sejong's first assignment to Jang was to build a celestial globe to measure astronomical objects. Books obtained from Arabian and Chinese scholars were not complete in their instructions, for these devices could also be used for military purposes. After two months of study, he made a spherical device that could perform with mediocre accuracy. One year after his first attempt, in 1433, Young Sil made the honcheonui (혼천의, 渾天儀). Honcheonui depended on a waterwheel to rotate the internal globe to indicate time [9]. Whether day or night, this allowed the instrument to be updated on the positions of the sun, moon, and the stars [10]. Later celestial globes (i.e. gyupyo (규표)) could measure time changes according to the seasonal variations [11]. These instruments, along with the sundials and water clocks, were stationed around the Kyonghoeru Pond in Kyongbok Palace and made into use by the astrologers [12]. The success of Jang Yeong-sil's astronomical machines was marked in 1442AD when the Korean astronomers compiled their computations on the courses of the seven heavenly objects (five visible planets, the sun, and moon) in Chiljeongsan (칠정산) [13].

Iron printing press

Although Chae Yun-ui (채윤의) invented the world's first metal printing press in 1234 during the Goryeo Dynasty [12], Johann Gutenberg is recognized worldwide as the first to pioneer this technology. In general, metal movable type printing blocks surpassed the wooden counterparts in durability, clarity, and longevity [14]. Even then, the king asked the scientists at Jiphyeonjeon to build a better printing press. In 1434 [15], the scientists accomplished in building Gabinja (갑인자, 甲寅字) [16], which was made of copper-zinc and lead-tin alloys [17]. It was said to be twice as fast as the previous printing presses and print the Chinese characters in astounding beauty and clarity. Gabinja was reproduced six times during the next 370 years[17].

Water clock

File:Water Clock Made by Jang Young Sill.jpg
Automated water clock, first of its kind in Korea

Self-striking water clock had already been invented by the Arabians and the Chinese (in 1091) [18], and a more primitive form was in use by the Koreans. Although there is no archeological evidence, Samguk Sagi records that an office overlooking the use of water clock had been established during the Three Kingdoms Period. [12]The Korean version consisted of two stacked jars of water, with water dropping from the top to the bottom at a measured rate. The level of the water indicated the time of the day. But this was very inconvenient, because a person had to be always be on guard, so that at each hour he or she could bang the drum to inform the public.

Upon hearing about the usage of self-striking water clocks in foreign countries, Sejong assigned Jang and other scientists to build a clock emulating such automatic devices. They failed in developing successful and novel ideas for the water clock, and in studying foreign books. Therefore, Jang went to China to study the various designs of water clocks. When he returned in 1434, Jang created Korea's first water clock, Jagyeokru (자격루) [19]. This water clock did not survive; however, reconstructions of the Jagyeokru based on text descriptions have been made.

Circling the clock were 12 wooden figures that served as indicator of time. There were four water containers, 2 jars that received the water, and 12 arrows floating inside the lower container. As the water from the upper containers seeped down the pipe to the lower container, one of the arrows would tilt a board filled with small iron balls; a ball would roll down a pipe to a container of larger iron balls. The collision would cause the larger balls to travel down a lower pipe and hit a giant cymbal, announcing the time to the community. Then, the ball would land on another container, which is part of a complex of levers and pulleys that activates the motions of the wooden figures to indicate time visually [20].

Sundial

Jang's invention of the water clock saw its infusion throughout the country. Yet, these were very costly, and the cheaper and more manageable alternative came about to be the sundial. Jang, Ichun, Kimjo, and other scientists made Korea's first sundial, Yangbu Ilgu (양부일구) (仰釜日晷)[21], which meant "pot-shaped sun clock staring at the sky" [22]. Yangbu Ilgu was bronze in composition, and consisted of a bowl marked with 13 meters to indicate time and four legs jointed by a cross at the base[22]. 7 lines crossed the 13 meters in different curves to compensate for the seasonal changes of the course of the sun[22]. Yangbu Ilgu and other variants, such as the Hyunjoo Ilgu and the Chunpyung Ilgu, were implemented in strategic spots, such as the main streets with heavy traffic, so that the people could be well informed of the time. To compensate for the high illiteracy rate among the commoners, 12 shapes of animals, such as mouse, tiger, and cow, were engraved in juxtaposition with the meters[22]. No extant Choson Dynasty sundials today were made during King Sejong's reign, as none survived the Seven Year War (임진왜란).

Research on weaponry

From a discussion with the generals, Sejong learned that Korean melee weapons were duller and somewhat heavier than those of the neighboring countries; therefore, he sent Jang to Gyeongsang province ,where he had spent his earlier life, to develop metal alloys for various weapons and tools. Since Jang used to be a gwan-no, he had already acquired much knowledge about metal working, and knew the geography of the area. Jang surveyed the available metals and their characteristics, and presented his research to king and the generals, contributing to the development of Korean weaponry [23].

Rain gauge

File:Woo Ryang Gyae.jpg
The world's first rain gauge.

During the Choson Dynasty, Korea was a agrilcultre-based society, and its economy was vulnerable to elongated or consecutively occuring droughts. Therefore, it was crucial for the farmers to be better informed on water management. In 1440, Jang invented the world's first rain gauge, called uryanggye (우량계) [24], and, by 1442, a standardized rain gauge with dimensions of 42.5cm (height) and 17cm (diameter) was introduced throughout the country to gather data on the yearly averages of precipitation throughout the different regions of the country.[8]

Water gauge

To allow better water management, the king asked the scientists to figure out some ways to inform the farmers of the available amount of water. And, in 1441, Jang invented the world's first water gauge, called Supyo (수표). It was a calibrated stone column placed in the middle of a body of water, connected by a stone bridge [25].

Expulsion

Jang's extraordinary accomplishments earned him much trust of the king. Some government officials were very jealous of Jang, especially when he had achieved so much regardless of his common origin. Furthermore, as Korea's society was rooted in Confucianism, scientists and mechanics were held in low esteem.

In 1442, King Sejong ordered Jang to build a gama, elaborately decorated Korean sedan chair. The gama broke while the king was traveling, and Jang was held responsible. Although the king was against the decree, Jang was jailed for a long time, and was expelled from the royal palace. Later events of his life, including the date of his death, were not recorded[26].

See also

References

  1. ^ p. 17 Baek Seokgi. (1987). Woongjin Wi-in Jeon-gi #11 Jang Yeong-sil. Woongjin Publishing.
  2. ^ pg. 106 McKay Hill Buckler. (1999). A History of World Societies, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 222 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA 02116.
  3. ^ p. 24 Baek Seokgi. (1987). Woongjin Wi-in Jeon-gi #11 Jang Yeong-sil. Woongjin Publishing.
  4. ^ p. 37 Baek Seokgi. (1987). Woongjin Wi-in Jeon-gi #11 Jang Yeong-sil. Woongjin Publishing.
  5. ^ p. 27 Baek Seokgi. (1987). Woongjin Wi-in Jeon-gi #11 Jang Yeong-sil. Woongjin Publishing.
  6. ^ p. 30 Baek Sauk Gi. (1987). Woongjin Wi-in Jeon-gi #11 Jang Yeong-sil. Woongjin Publishing.
  7. ^ p. 46-49 Baek Seokgi. (1987). Woongjin Wi-in Jeon-gi #11 Jang Yeong-sil. Woongjin Publishing.
  8. ^ a b Korean History Project
  9. ^ p. 55 Baek Seokgi. (1987). Woongjin Wi-in Jeon-gi #11 Jang Yeong-sil. Woongjin Publishing.
  10. ^ p. 56 Baek Seokgi. (1987). Woongjin Wi-in Jeon-gi #11 Jang Yeong-sil. Woongjin Publishing.
  11. ^ p. 77 Baek Seokgi. (1987). Woongjin Wi-in Jeon-gi #11 Jang Yeong-sil. Woongjin Publishing.
  12. ^ a b c Indiana University Resources
  13. ^ Introduction to the Folk Museum
  14. ^ http://www.juliantrubin.com/bigten/gutenbergmovable.html
  15. ^ http://www.aks.ac.kr/glossary/glossary_detail.asp?g_code=182&page=9&c_code=&search_field=&keyword=&order=g_korean&kanada=
  16. ^ p. 63 Baek Seokgi. (1987). Woongjin Wi-in Jeon-gi #11 Jang Yeong-sil. Woongjin Publishing.
  17. ^ a b Federation of Busan and Technology
  18. ^ p. 68 Baek Seokgi. (1987). Woongjin Wi-in Jeon-gi #11 Jang Yeong-sil. Woongjin Publishing.
  19. ^ p. 71 Baek Seokgi. (1987). Woongjin Wi-in Jeon-gi #11 Jang Yeong-sil. Woongjin Publishing.
  20. ^ p. 72-73 Baek Seokgi. (1987). Woongjin Wi-in Jeon-gi #11 Jang Yeong-sil. Woongjin Publishing.
  21. ^ p. 75 Baek Seokgi. (1987). Woongjin Wi-in Jeon-gi #11 Jang Yeong-sil, which was circular in shape. Woongjin Publishing.
  22. ^ a b c d Kaeri Web Magzine
  23. ^ p. 87-91 Baek Seokgi. (1987). Woongjin Wi-in Jeon-gi #11 Jang Yeong-sil. Woongjin Publishing.
  24. ^ p. 97 Baek Seokgi. (1987). Woongjin Wi-in Jeon-gi #11 Jang Yeong-sil. Woongjin Publishing.
  25. ^ p. 101 Baek Seokgi. (1987). Woongjin Wi-in Jeon-gi #11 Jang Yeong-sil. Woongjin Publishing.
  26. ^ p. 108-111 Baek Seokgi. (1987). Woongjin Wi-in Jeon-gi #11 Jang Yeong-sil. Woongjin Publishing.
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