History of the Fan

Author: Shen Congwen
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-01-01
Features: The invention and development of the fan are closely related to human needs in daily life. To catch a breeze for cooling, sweep away dust, kindle fire for heating, and drive away insects and ants, humans invented the fan. It must have appeared early in the hot southern regions, made from readily available leaves of palm plants and the wings of various birds. Later, as the need increased, it was further developed using bamboo strips and reeds for weaving. The materials were lightweight, durable, and easy to process, so the design inevitably drew inspiration from the shapes of palm leaves and bird wings, or was influenced by them to a certain extent, a very natural situation (and primitive forms may still be used in some regions). The use of the fan must be extremely ancient, at least no later than the appearance of pottery in the Neolithic Age. From the primitive pottery and smelting industries to the fans and bellows that conquer nature and promote production, and even to the large-scale ventilation and air circulation equipment indispensable in modern industrial factories, it has gone through its own series of developmental history, which is a very clear fact. The true right of invention should be shared by palm plants and various birds. Primitive people were merely inspired by the scene, gaining an idea. As the ancients said, they made nets from spider webs, wheels from tumbleweeds, and used materials accordingly, gradually improving them. The invention and development of the fan are closely related to human needs in daily life. To catch a breeze for cooling, sweep away dust, kindle fire for heating, and drive away insects and ants, humans invented the fan.