One of the special displays in the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio features the inventions of Leonardo da Vinci.
According to the display:
“Leonardo made practical use of the modern elements in his machines. For him, the machines were manifestations of the power of nature. Yet his designs were often ahead of his time, and few of them were ever built. The machines here are modern constructions. As much as possible, they incorporate materials and methods from Leonardo’s time.”
The machines in the exhibit are based on designs Leonardo recorded in his notebooks. About 6,000 pages—about a fifth of the total number he recorded—survive today. According to the display:
“For most of his life, Leonardo kept notebooks. He recorded ideas and observations about life, work, people, and events—and drawings of all kinds.”
Shown above is Leonardo’s spinning battery.
Another view of Leonardo’s spinning battery
Shown above is a device for measuring humidity.
Shown above is an anemometer which helps determine the force of the wind.
Shown above is a combination of ropes and pulleys—a block and tackle—which can be used to lift heavy weights.
Shown above is a machine which measures the force and speed of wind or water.
Shown above is a worm gear.
Shown above is Leonardo’s Water Saw.
Another view of the Water Saw.
The machine shown above automates the basic process of striking a hammer onto an anvil.
Shown above is Leonardo’s idea for walking on water.
Shown above is Leonardo’s idea for an arched bridge which would allow armies on the move to build and dismantle bridges quickly and easily.
Shown above is a water lifter.
According to the display:
“In Leonardo’s design, a crank rotates a spiral tube that funnels water from the bottom of the tube to the top. He had in mind a variety of uses, from lifting water out of wells to draining marshes and harbors.”
Shown above is a webbed glove for sea swimming.
Shown above is a device for making olive oil.
Shown above is a crane for moving materials.
According to the display:
“For Leonardo, the earth was alive, constantly moving and changing. He saw it as the mirror of a human being, with soil as its flesh, rocks as its bones, and springs of water as its blood. For him, all the elements were at play in the earth—it was bathed in air, washing by the sea and rivers, and heated by fire.”
Shown above is Leonardo’s bicycle. Leonardo probably didn’t draw it but no one knows who did. It was found in Leonardo’s Madrid Codex.
Shown above is Leonardo’s automated printing press.
Shown above is a pillar lifting machine.
Shown above is a moving machine.
Shown above may be the world’s first design for a humanoid robot.
Shown above may be the first design of a ball bearing.
Shown above is a design combing a ball bearing and a worm screw to produce a jack.
Shown above is another use of ball bearings.
Shown above is a simple design to prevent a rotating gearwheel from spinning in the opposite direction.
Shown above is Leonardo’s design for a chain drive.
Shown above is a lantern pinion to gearwheel design.
More museum exhibits
Museums 101: Robots (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: Humanoid Robots (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: Interactive Robots (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: Hands-On Science (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: The Milwaukee Traveler and railroad construction (photo diary)
Museums 101: The Wright Cycle Co. (photo diary)
Museums 101: Ranch and Sawmill (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: The Miller Lumber Sawmill (Photo Diary)