Da Vinci Exhibition Gallery
Air Screw
c.1489. Ms B, f.83 v. Parigi, Institut de France
It is widely recognised as the helicopter ancestor, and for this reason it is one of the most famous paintings that the genius of Leonardo ever made. In order to create the machine, he takes as its starting point the configuration of naval sails, while the rotation mechanism is an absolute novelty, necessary for lifting. The motive power that existed at the time mainly consisted of water power and animal power, and both of them were not sufficient for the screw to lift itself up. Leonardo understands that, by turning the center shaft and using a proper motive power, the screw would have been lifted upwards, "twisting” the air like any other solid material.
1/20
Study of Gears
Cod. Madrid I f.5 r., Madrid, Biblioteca Nacional
In thinking about safety and greater effectiveness in motion transmission in a more complex machine, Leonardo da Vinci studies the single gears that compose it. He joins two sprockets, so that the teeth of the first one fit into the holes of the second one. This way he obtains two results. The first is that the movement of a single wheel will give movement to the second one (improving the efficacy of a possible machine). The second result involves safety: there is no risk that the teeth, which fit into the holes perfectly, overlap and jam the motion transmission mechanism.
2/20
Column-lifter
Codice Atlantico, f. 49 v-a [138 r], Biblioteca Ambrosiana, Milano (c. 1495)
When in Milan, Leonardo meets Francesco di Giorgio Martini, an engineer and architect. The result of this cooperation is the machine known as the "column-lifter". First, the column is put inside the machine that can contain all of it, like a large scaffold. The mechanism is based on the movement of a carriage-on which the column is resting-and of an endless screw that lifts the end opposite to the base. By turning a handle, far from the column, the mechanism is triggered and the column will start to lift. The column-lifter facilitates the work on building sites, and guarantees improved safety during lifting operations.
3/20
Cam Hammer
c.1497. Codice di Madrid I, f. 6 v. Madrid, Biblioteca Nacional
This page describes a simple hammer, whose classical movement is due to a particular gear that is moved by a handle. The gear concerned is the cam, that we all know as the component of the homonym "shaft" in our cars. Leonardo exploits the properties of the cam to allow the machine to work easily and quickly, making the whole weight of the hammer fall on the anvil. Moreover, in metal processing and forging, the handle would have let the blacksmith move the hammer in complete safety, allowing him to step away from the anvil and consequently from the fire and its sparks.
4/20
Defense of the walls
Codice Atlantico, f. 49 v-b [139 r], Biblioteca Ambrosiana, Milano (c. 1482-85)
Leonardo's fortune among Italian courts is often due to his presentation of projects to defend cities. It is no accident that Leonardo spends most of his time thinking of clever and spectacular methods to storm and defend the walls of a city. In this drawing, Leonardo proposes a particular defensive system. If the besiegers succeed in placing stairs against the walls, a hidden girder, powered by a complex system of winches and linkages moved by men inside the walls, makes it possible to push them back, making them fall. Perhaps the besiegers would decide to loosen their military hold on the city, having their stairs pushed back all of a sudden without seeing the cause.
5/20
Perpetual motion
c.1495-97. Codice di Madrid I, f. 145 r. Madrid, Biblioteca Nacional
Leonardo argued against the existence of a perpetual motion machine, and in his demonstration of its impossibility he exploits laws of friction, balance and levers. Each rod ends with a weight, and the weights, once moved, are the cause of the machine's motion. Let us try to apply some strength, by turning the wooden wheel. We will observe that when the rods return to the starting balance position, the machine will stop moving if motion is not provoked once again.
6/20
Mowing Wagon
c.1485, Inv. n. 15583. Torino, Biblioteca Reale
The mowing wagon testifies to Leonardo's study of antiquity during the design phase of his machines. In fact, war chariots were widely used in Mesopotamian civilizations, in ancient Egypt and in ancient Greek and Roman times. Starting from the war chariot structure, Leonardo strengthens the efficacy of the scythes by a lantern gear inside the central cage, linked to the chariot wheels. The faster the horse runs, the faster the scythes turn, and their effects are even more lethal. The drawing shows the mutilated bodies and the restive horses that well embody the concept of war as a “most beastly madness” that Leonardo expressed many times.
7/20
Gym
MS H f.44, Parigi, Institut de France
It is commonly called “gym”, since, in Manuscript H's drawing, Leonardo represents a man who moves his arms, legs and neck at the same time, as a result lifting some weights. This drawing is believed to be linked to the theme of flight, since the action mechanisms, which accordingly can contain the entire human body that is physically put at the center of the machines, remind one of ornithopters and of flying machines. We can assume that this “gym” could be exploited to train the synchronized movements of the pilots in flying machines.
8/20
Robot Drummer
Codice Atlantico, f. 216 v-b [579 r], Biblioteca Ambrosiana, Milano (c. 1495)
Entertainment machines represent a major part of Leonardo da Vinci's interests, and they are often linked to the robot studies tradition, which finds a scientific origin in the Hellenistic period, and which passes through the centuries until its arrival in Leonardo's papers. During the early 2000's, Professor Carlo Pedretti, together with Sara Taglialagamba, interpreted this drawing of the Codex as an “exploded design” of a robot. The reconstruction led to the making of a parade drummer robot. The robot, set on a chariot that was probably pulled by oxen, received an impulse from a lantern mechanism, causing it to beat its hands on the drum alternately.
9/20
Roasting Jack
c.1480-85. Codice Atlantico, f. 5 v-a [f. 21 r]. Milano, Biblioteca Ambrosiana
Leonardo's roasting jack is a clever and curious kitchen machine that guarantees almost perfect cooking. In fact, its prerogative exploits the energy produced by the heat of the fire that cooks food, in order to move a blade positioned in the upper part of the chimney. The blades are linked directly to the spit by a chain system. This way, the rotation velocity is produced by the intensity of the fire: the more intense the fire, the faster the spit will turn, avoiding any burning of the meat. Vice-versa, slow cooking happens thanks to a low fire.
10/20
Catapult
c. 1485-90. Codice Atlantico, ff. 50 v-a, b, v-b [140 a-r, b-r]. Milano, Biblioteca Ambrosiana
Leonardo drew many catapults. Many of these catapults do not have any adjustment device for the variation of firing according to the weight. Moreover, in the chassis there was no screw, nail. In fact, Leonardo chooses a joints assembly system that allows the machine to resist impacts and great stress deriving from the firing of the weight. It further should be noted that a blocking and adjustment mechanism is missing. Leonardo improves his catapult model by a self-locking mechanism, that could adjust the energy storage with springing parts.
11/20
Reflector
c.1478-80. Codice Atlantico, f. 9 v-b [34 r]. Milano, Biblioteca Ambrosiana
The reflector is a theater machine capable of creating magnificent light effects. A candle is set inside a wooden box. The inside walls are made of mirrors, while on the outer front walls a lens is installed, from which light comes out, after bouncing in the inside from mirror to mirror. The effect created is a “big, beautiful light” that is screened from this scenic machine. This ancestor of a "special effect" exploits the laws of light reflection and optics (to build the lens and the mirrors) in order to amaze audiences.
12/20
Ball bearing
c.1497. Codice di Madrid I, f.20 v. Madrid, Biblioteca Nacional
When studying motion and its transformations, Leonardo also faces problems deriving from friction. The frictional force is a resistant force that makes motion difficult. In order to solve the problem caused by friction, Leonardo uses the ball bearing, very similar to the one we still widely use today. In fact, the spherical shape reduces friction, allowing a more continuous and homogeneous motion. Leonardo used this mechanism in many machines, and also in the realization of a great rotating wooden stage for the theatrical representation of the Orpheus myth in Milan, or to make a cannon rotate on itself on the deck of a ship.
13/20
Cranes for Pole Lifting
c. 1497. Codice di Madrid I, f. 43 r. Madrid, Biblioteca Nacional
Leonardo shows he can master the laws of statics and physics in many of his machines for the lifting of poles, columns and spars. In this machine, Leonardo adopts the standard according to which the movement of each weight will be easier for the horizontal line. The pole is based on two wheels that can be hauled both by the horizontal rope and by the oblique one. This practical and clever lifting system adapts to building sites, and it also further shows the profound knowledge of Leonardo regarding physical balance.
14/20
Glider
c.1493-95. Codice Atlantico, f.309 v-a [846 v]. Milano, Biblioteca Ambrosiana
The glider represents very important technical and scientific progress in Leonardo's studies on human flight. Leonardo understands the importance of aerodynamics and starts to draw flying machines with partially fixed wings, observing bat wings and large birds' wings. In truth, the wing is fixed just at the center, close to the pilot, while the external parts are movable. Thanks to pulleys and handles, the pilot will be able to flap the external wings, while he stays in a vertical position at the center of the machine, inserting his head in the central hole, and carrying on his shoulders all of the glider's weight.
15/20
Chamber of Mirrors
c. 1486. Ms. B, f.28 r. Parigi, Institut de France
Leonardo da Vinci applies optics and reflection laws in various fields: in painting, he masters the perspective technique, in anatomy he studies the optic nerves system and in the stage design field he creates magnificent illusion machines. One of Leonardo's most famous devices is the chamber of mirrors. When putting an object at the center of the chamber, the eight mirrors reflect the picture, showing the object itself from all sides without having to move. It is an optical phenomenon known as multiple reflection.
16/20
Tank
c.1483-85. Inv. n. 1860-6-16-99. Londra, British Museum
In 1485, Leonardo da Vinci brought to realization a covered, three meters high carriage. It was externally armored with wood, and internally finished with metal tortoise-shaped plaques. It was also equipped with an internal turret to observe the battlefield from an elevated position. The fire is entrusted to cannons which are disposed all around the hull to emit fire from any direction. For motion, he simply needs eight men to move the internal toothed gears. In Leonardo's mind the carriage has to take the place of chivalry in battlefields. With the advent of new fire-weapons, during battles horses became frightened by the noise and the outbursts of the cannons and causing much damage to their army.
17/20
Vertical Ornithopter
c. 1488-89. Ms. B, f. 80 r. Parigi, Institut de France
The ornithopter is another of Leonardo's visionary flying machines. It is composed of a “ship”, four wings-disposed two by two that move crossing each other-and a ladder. The pilot is situated at the center of the wing mechanism, in a standing position and buckled up. Moving arms, legs and head, the pilot is able to make the ship lift and take fight in a vertical direction. For take-off, Leonardo prepares a retractable stair, while for landing he settles on a system of shock-absorbers.
18/20
Arched Bridge
c. 1508. Codice Arundel, f. 54 r, Londra, British Library
Making his practical nature stand out, Leonardo projects a simple bridge, with a simple assembly process and made of materials that could be readily available. It is the arched bridge, a bridge model which is both light and strong, and which stands thanks to the interlocking of wooden logs. Its arched shape is suitable for the rapid crossing of water currents. The bridge was known as a “salvation bridge,” because it could be used to speed up possible escapes from oncoming armies, and because of its convenience of construction.
19/20
Ogival Cannon Balls
c. 1508. Codice Arundel, f. 54 r, Londra, British Library
The study of ballistics is of major importance in the precision of fire and it was with this that Leonardo came to understand, by means of experiments with jets of water, the affect of air on the trajectory of cannon balls. He solved the problem by designing ogival projectiles which are incredibly modern in their use of aerodynamic shape and directional wings.
20/20
Air Screw
Study of Gears
Column-lifter
Cam Hammer
Defense of the walls
Perpetual motion
Mowing Wagon
Gym
Robot Drummer
Roasting Jack
Catapult
Reflector
Ball bearing
Cranes for Pole Lifting
Glider
Chamber of Mirrors
Tank
Vertical Ornithopter
Arched Bridge
Ogival Cannon Balls
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Tom Rizzo
Travelling Exhibitions Manager