Origins & Early Life

Chang Yŏngsil (Korean: 장영실; Hanja: 蔣英實; pronounced [t͡ɕɐŋ jʌŋɕiɭ]; ? – after 1442) was a Korean mechanical engineer, scientist, and inventor during the Joseon dynasty. He was born to a mother who was a government-registered courtesan (관기; 官妓) and a father of Yuan dynasty descent. Although Chang was born a nobi, King Sejong gave him a court-technician position in the royal court.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Chang's inventions, such as the ch'ŭgugi (the rain gauge) and the water gauge, highlight the technological advancements of the Joseon dynasty. Chang Yŏngsil's precise date of birth is unknown and only recorded in the genealogy of the Chang family and his ancestry in the Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty. According to these records, his father, Chang Seong-hwi, was the eighth generation of the Chang family. Chang Seong-hwi was the third of five brothers, all of whom previously served as ministers in Goryeo. Historical records also mention his elder brother, Chang Seong-bal, who was born in 1344 and whose grave is located at Ui-seong in North Gyeongsang Province.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Yŏngsil's mother was a government-registered courtesan, making Chang a government-owned nobi – a type of Joseon's lowest class...

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