Lu Ban

Philosopher, Person

20

Who is Lu Ban?

Lu Ban was a Chinese carpenter, engineer, philosopher, inventor, military thinker, and statesman, well notable for his achievements after his subject to the State of Chu. He was a contemporary of Mozi, and is the patron saint of Chinese builders and contractors.

Lu Ban was born in the State of Lu to a renowned family during the chaos of the Spring and Autumn Period civil wars. His original name was Gongshu Yizhi. He was also referred to as Gongshu Ban, Kungshu Pen and Kungshu Pun, but was most commonly known as Lu Ban.

According to tradition, he was responsible for several inventions, as described in Chapters 49 and 50 of Mozi:

⁕Cloud ladder—a mobile, counterweighted siege ladder.

⁕Grappling hooks and ram—implements for naval warfare.

⁕Wooden bird—a non-powered, flying, wooden bird which could stay in the air for three days. It has been suggested to be a prototype of a kite.

Other inventions were also attributed to him, such as a lifting implement to assist with burial, a wooden horse carriage and coachman, and other woodworking mentioned in various texts, which thereafter led Lu Ban to be acknowledged as a master craftsman:

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Nationality
  • China
Profession

Submitted
on July 23, 2013

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