Did the Chinese Ever Make Power Armor? Exploring History, Fiction, and Future Possibilities
No, the Chinese did not historically develop power armor in the real world. Power armor, as depicted in science fiction settings like the Fallout video game series, is a product of speculative technology. However, China did have a rich and diverse history of armor development, spanning millennia and incorporating various materials and designs to provide protection on the battlefield. In the context of Fallout, the lore presents a narrative where China focused on stealth technology and later began developing its own version of power armor.
Historical Chinese Armor: A Legacy of Innovation
Early Forms of Protection
Chinese armor evolved significantly over time. The earliest forms, dating back to the Shang dynasty, utilized materials like shell breastplates and rawhide or leather. Helmets were crafted from bronze, often adorned with intricate animal designs. As warfare advanced, so did the materials and construction methods used in Chinese armor.
The Rise of Lamellar Armor
From the Warring States period (481 BC–221 BC) onward, lamellar armor became the predominant form. This involved lacing together small plates of hard leather, iron, or bronze to create a flexible and protective covering. The design allowed for greater mobility compared to earlier, more rigid forms of protection. Scale armor also saw use, supplementing lamellar designs. Other popular designs were coat of plates and brigandine.
Materials and Craftsmanship
Chinese armor utilized a variety of materials depending on availability, cost, and the intended user. Leather, bronze, iron, and steel were all employed. Skilled artisans crafted intricate designs, ensuring both protection and a degree of aesthetic appeal. The emphasis was on creating armor that was both functional and allowed for maneuverability, critical for the diverse combat styles practiced in ancient China. Partial plate armour became popular from the Eastern and Southern dynasties (420–589), and mail and mountain pattern armour from the Tang dynasty (618–907).
Power Armor in Fallout: A Fictional Divergence
West-Tek’s Innovation
In the Fallout universe, power armor was invented by West-Tek, a pre-war defense contractor for the Department of Defense. Their designs served as the foundation for all subsequent models. The T-45 power armor was deployed in 2067 to American infantry in China.
Chinese Stealth Armor
The Fallout lore indicates that the Chinese, unable to match the US’s power armor development at the time, focused on stealth technology. This culminated in the Chinese Stealth Armor, a suit that grants near-invisibility while crouching.
Chinese Power Armor in Fallout 76
Fallout 76 introduces the possibility of Chinese power armor development, suggesting that they were indeed working on their own version, but it had not been completed before the Great War. This adds another layer to the in-game conflict and technological rivalry between the US and China within the Fallout universe. The narrative implication is that, given more time, China might have produced power armor comparable to, or even surpassing, American designs.
FAQs: Delving Deeper into Chinese Armor and Fallout Lore
1. Did the Chinese ever use plate armor?
Yes, although not as extensively as lamellar. Partial plate armor was used during the Eastern and Southern dynasties (420–589), indicating a period of experimentation with more rigid armor forms.
2. Who invented power armor in Fallout?
West-Tek, a defense contractor, invented power armor in the Fallout universe before the Great War.
3. How do you obtain the Chinese Stealth Armor in Fallout 76?
You can purchase the blueprint for the Chinese Stealth Armor from Samuel at Foundation after completing all missions in The Wastelander quest line and reaching Neighborly Reputation Rank. It requires Gold Bullion.
4. What did ancient Chinese armor primarily look like?
Ancient Chinese armor was primarily lamellar, consisting of small plates laced together. Variations included scale armor, coat of plates, and brigandine. Animal parts like rhinoceros hide and turtle shells were used in earlier periods.
5. What materials were Chinese armor made from?
Materials included leather, bronze, iron, and steel, depending on the period and the specific armor type.
6. What does the Chinese Stealth Armor do in Fallout?
The Chinese Stealth Armor provides radiation resistance, damage reduction, and, most importantly, permanent invisibility while crouching. It is a very valuable tool for stealth gameplay.
7. Did any other countries use armor similar to Lamellar?
Lamellar was a popular design across many cultures. Examples of lamellar armor have been found in various parts of the world, including the Roman Empire.
8. Can real-life power armor be made?
While advancements are being made in exoskeletons, true power armor as depicted in science fiction faces significant technological hurdles, especially in musclewire tech and power source development.
9. What was the first power armor in Fallout?
The T-45 was the first power armor deployed in the Fallout universe. It saw service in 2067.
10. What is lamellar armor?
Lamellar armor is a type of armor constructed from small, overlapping plates (lamellae) laced together.
11. Why didn’t China develop plate armor extensively?
The Chinese may have preferred lamellar armor due to its flexibility, ease of tailoring, and more compact storage compared to plate armor.
12. Why didn’t samurai have plate armor as their primary armor?
Samurai armor evolved over time. While they used plate and lamellar armor, the classic yoroi design with its laced metal plates provided flexibility and served as a symbol of status. By the Edo period, traditional armors were used as a sign of status and were no longer necessary for battle.
13. Does China still exist in the Fallout timeline?
No, both the United States and China were devastated by nuclear war and ceased to exist as nations in the Fallout timeline.
14. Is Fallout banned in some countries?
Some Fallout games were previously banned in certain countries, like Germany, due to their violent content, but many of these bans have been lifted.
15. What happened to the USSR in the Fallout timeline?
In the Fallout universe, the Soviet Union continued to exist until the Great War in 2077, though it became somewhat weaker, while China rose to become the leading communist nation.
Understanding the historical development of Chinese armor provides a fascinating contrast to the fictional technologies presented in Fallout. While China didn’t create power armor in reality, their innovative use of materials and design in traditional armor played a crucial role in their military history.
You can learn more about games and learning at GamesLearningSociety.org.