How the Mind Museum Uncovered Leonardo da Vinci's Colorful Life and Greatest Inventions Like No Other Book of History Can (Part 2)

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Leonardo da Vinci: On the Rise of the Machines

Self-propelled Car (Carro ad Autotrazione)

This is said to be the ancestor of the modern car. However, experts speculated that this design was probably used as a stage prop for a spectacular theatrical production during Da Vinci's time at the court in Milan.

Helicoidal Mechanism (Ingranaggio Elicoidale o Vite Senza Fine)

This mechanical system for transmitting rotary motion was always seen in Leonardo's designs. The endless screw at the top touches the gear wheel over the entire arc of the wheel (not just at one spot). Since it catches many of the wheel cogs at one time, it evenly distributes the force over a wider area; thus, reduces the risk for a cog to break under the strain.

Transformation of Alternating to Continuous Motion (Transformazione Moto Alternato in Continuo)

This design of Leonardo is clearly evident in early steam engines, specifically in horizontal stationary engines and outside-cylindered steam locomotives, since the crank and connecting-rod commonly are not enclosed.

Flying Wheels (Studio di Volano) 

Like the mechanism of the potter's wheel, this model conserves motion and reduces the effort needed to sustain it. This helps steady the rotation of the shaft when it undergoes decreasing pressure.

This kind of motion starts when the crank is turned fast enough to cause the four spheres to rise because of force until the chains become horizontal. When the highest rotating speed is achieved,  the balls and the attached shaft will then spin continuously at a constant speed too.

The Clock Mechanism (Meccanismo d' Orologio)

This clock could not just present the minutes and hours but also, it has a feature to determine the position of the sun and the moon. Trivia: The clock in the photo was made especially for this exhibit by a 90 year-old artisan from Vinci, Tuscany, the home of Leonardo da Vinci.

Spotlight or Projector (Proiettore)

This might like a simple box with a large lens on one side and a candle as light source, but it has the ability to project shapes and enlarge figures onto a wall during theatrical productions. By changing the size of the projected object, this could also create shadows that have either crisp or blurred edges.

Chain Crankcase (Carter a Catena)

Leonardo da Vinci realized that using chains instead of ropes is far better. This produces greater efficiency and is safer than ropes in moving heavy loads.

Automatic Blocking Mechanism (Meccanismo Autobloccante)

Leonardo studied several variations of the locking system, which blocks the wheel's rotation in the wrong direction while the weight is being lifted. The catch presses against a cog on the wheel, preventing it from spinning backwards and dropping the weight.

This mechanism is originally used when loading catapults, which is similar to the ratchet locking mechanism that is being used today.

Ball Bearings (Cuscinetto a Sfere)

The model below was said to be the ancestor of the ball bearing that we are using today to reduce friction.

At the court of Milan, Leonardo da Vinci used this design for a large revolving stage for a theatrical event. However, the stage was never been built.

Speed Gauge for Wind or Water (Studio per Condotti Conici)

Anemometer (Anemometro)

This device is used to measure the force of the wind. If the wind blows, the vertical plate moves like a pointer along the quadrant scale. Thus, you'll be able to obtain the exact measurement of the wind's strength.

Stabilizer (Equalizzatore) 

During Leonardo's time, big town clocks were usually driven by heavy weights. Until he found out that springs can do it better since it reduces friction; thus, producing a more accurate result.

Annular Platform Crane (Gru a Piattaforma Anulare)

Though Leonardo's design of this crane was borrowed from Filippo Brunelleschi, an architect between 1420 and 1436, Leonardo dedicated a great amount of effort in improving this machine.

Odometer (Odometro)

Why Leonardo's odometer looks more of a cartwheel? Each time the cart's wheel completes one full rotation, it will move some notches and the final notch will eventually release a pebble or a wooden ball from a small hole into a box. The number of pebbles or balls that were released multiplied by the circumference of the wheel equals the number of the distance traveled.

Horizontal Drill (Perforatrice Orizzontale) 

This machine that looks like a modern lathe, was designed by Leonardo to drill holes through tree trunks to make wooden water pipes.

Bicycle (Bicicletta)

It has not been concluded that Leonardo really invented the bicycle, but this model was drawn on one of Leonardo's manuscripts called Codex Atlantico. Speculations like, this might have been drawn by Salai, one of his pupils, this sketch had become more controversial when scholars have found out that this was done in graphite (lead pencil), which its use was not discovered until some decades after Da Vinci's death.

Weight Study Mechanism or Compound Hoist (Studio di Pesi o Tirare Composto)

Here, Leonardo demonstrated that the pulley system was proven to be a safe way to lift heavy weights since it distributes the load evenly. He believes that each pulley can lift one unit of weight; thus, this twelve pulleys shown here could lift 12 kilograms/pounds while being counterbalanced by 1 kilogram/pound weight at the end of the rope.

>> Continue reading: How the Mind Museum Uncovered Leonardo da Vinci's Colorful Life and Greatest Inventions Like No Other Book of History Can (Part 3)