Leonardo da Vinci parachute. Famous inventions of Leonardo da Vinci
Painter, sculptor, architect, anatomist, natural scientist, inventor, engineer, writer, thinker, musician, poet.
If you list only these areas of application of talent, without naming the name of the person to whom they relate, anyone will say: Leonardo da Vinci. We will consider only one of the facets of personality “...
Learned Prophet
Da Vinci was a famous figure of his time, but real fame came many centuries after his death. Only at the end of the 19th century were the scientist’s theoretical notes published for the first time. They contained descriptions of strange and mysterious devices for their time. During the Renaissance, da Vinci could hardly count on the quick implementation of all his inventions. The main obstacle to their implementation was the insufficient technical level. But in the 20th century, almost all the devices described in his works became a reality. This suggests that the “Italian Faust” was not only a talented inventor, but also a person who was able to anticipate technological progress. Of course, this was facilitated by Leonardo's deep knowledge.
The scientist systematized his developments, creating so-called “codes” - books containing records about certain aspects of science and technology. There is, for example, the “Leicester Code”, in which you can find descriptions of various natural phenomena, as well as mathematical calculations. It is noteworthy that da Vinci’s notes are made in the so-called “mirror” font. All letters are written from right to left and rotated vertically. They can only be read using a mirror. There are still ongoing debates about why the scientist needed to keep records in this way. Rumor has it that this is how he intended to keep his works secret.
Leonardo da Vinci was the illegitimate (illegitimate) son of the Tuscan notary Piero da Vinci. His mother was a simple peasant woman. Subsequently, Leonardo's father married a girl from a noble family. Since this marriage turned out to be childless, he soon took his son to him.
Helicopter and hang glider
No technical invention evokes such awe and admiration as a flying car. That is why special attention has always been focused on da Vinci’s flying machines. The inventor always dreamed of the idea of aeronautics. Birds became the source of inspiration for the scientist. Leonardo tried to create a wing for an aircraft in the image and likeness of bird wings. One of the devices he developed was driven by movable wings, which were raised and lowered by the pilot's rotation of the pedals. The pilot himself was positioned horizontally (lying down). Another version of the flying machine involved using not only the legs, but also the arms of the aeronaut for movement. Experiments with the “bird” wing did not have practical success, and soon the inventor moved on to the idea of gliding flight. This is how the hang glider prototype appeared. By the way, in 2002, British testers proved the correctness of the da Vinci hang glider concept. Using a device built according to the master’s drawings, world hang gliding champion Judy Liden was able to rise to a height of ten meters and stay in the air for seventeen seconds.
Of no less interest is the aircraft developed by da Vinci with a main rotor. Nowadays, many consider this machine to be the prototype of a modern helicopter. Although the device looks more like a gyroplane rather than a helicopter. The screw, made of fine flax, had to be driven by four people. The helicopter was one of the first flying machines proposed by da Vinci. Perhaps that is why he had a number of serious shortcomings that would never have allowed him to take off. For example, the strength of four people was clearly not enough to create the thrust necessary for takeoff.
But the parachute was one of the simplest developments of the genius. But this does not at all detract from the significance of the invention. According to Leonardo's idea, the parachute was supposed to have a pyramidal shape, and its structure was supposed to be covered with fabric. In our time, testers have proven that da Vinci's parachute concept can be considered correct. In 2008, Swiss Olivier Tepp successfully landed using a pyramid-shaped tent. True, for this the parachute had to be made from modern materials.
Leonardo da Vinci was a truly versatile person. The inventor played the lyre beautifully and appeared in the records of the Milan court as a musician. Da Vinci was also interested in cooking. For thirteen years, the organization of court feasts rested on his shoulders. He developed several useful devices especially for cooks.
Automobile
When you get acquainted with the works of da Vinci, you begin to understand why small Italy became the birthplace of legendary automobile brands. Back in the 15th century, an Italian inventor was able to sketch a “self-propelled carriage”, which became the prototype of modern cars. The cart developed by Leonardo had no driver and was driven by a spring mechanism. Although the latter is just an assumption of modern scientists. It is not known for certain how exactly the master intended to move his invention forward. We also don’t know what the first car should have looked like. Leonardo paid the main attention not to the appearance of the structure, but to the technical characteristics. The cart was three-wheeled, like a children's bicycle. The rear wheels rotated independently of each other.
In 2004, Italian researchers managed to not only build a car designed by da Vinci, but also make it move! Scientist Carlo Pedretti managed to unravel the main mystery of Leonardo da Vinci's carriage, namely the principle of movement. The researcher suggested that the car should have been driven not by springs, but by special springs, which were located at the bottom of the structure.
Tank
Bestialissima pazzia (translated from Italian as “animal madness”) - this is precisely the unflattering epithet that the “titan of the Renaissance” awarded the war. In his notes, da Vinci mentioned that he hated war and killing machines. Paradoxically, this did not stop him from developing new military equipment. We should not forget that Leonardo did not live in peacetime. Italian cities had a difficult relationship with each other, and there was also the threat of French intervention. By the end of the 15th century, da Vinci had become a famous and respected military specialist. He presented his numerous military developments in a letter written to the Duke of Sforza in Milan.
One of the scientist’s most exciting ideas was... a tank. However, it would be much more correct to call Leonardo’s design a distant prototype of armored vehicles of the 20th century. This structure had a rounded shape and looked like a turtle, bristling with tools on all sides. The inventor hoped to solve the problem of movement with the help of horses. However, this idea was quickly abandoned: in a confined space the animals could become uncontrollable. Instead, the “engine” of such a tank would have to be eight people who would turn levers connected to the wheels, and thus move the combat vehicle forward. Another crew member had to be at the top of the device and indicate the direction of movement. Interestingly, the design of the armored vehicle allowed it to move only forward. As you might guess, at that time the tank concept had little chance of being realized. A tank will become a truly effective weapon only when a suitable internal combustion engine can be created. Da Vinci’s main merit was that he managed to lift the curtain of history and look many centuries ahead.
Scythe Chariot
Another very original and at the same time creepy invention of the genius of the Renaissance dates back to 1485. It received the simple name “chariot-scythe”. This chariot was a horse cart equipped with rotating scythes. The design does not at all claim to be the invention of the century. This invention was also not destined to come to fruition. On the other hand, the war chariot demonstrates the breadth of thought of da Vinci as a military specialist.
Machine gun
One of da Vinci's most famous inventions, ahead of its time, is considered to be a machine gun. Although it would be more correct to call Leonardo’s design a multi-barreled gun. Da Vinci had several designs for multiple rocket launchers. His most famous invention in this area is the so-called “musket in the shape of an organ pipe.” The design had a rotating platform on which three rows of muskets (arquebuses) with eleven barrels were placed. The da Vinci machine gun could only fire three shots before reloading, but they would be enough to kill a large number of enemy soldiers. The main disadvantage of the design was that such a machine gun is extremely difficult to reload, especially in combat conditions. Another version of a multi-barreled gun involved the arrangement of a large number of muskets in a fan-like arrangement. The gun barrels were pointed in different directions, increasing the radius of destruction. Like the previous development, the “fan” gun was supposed to be equipped with wheels to increase mobility.
Cannonballs and "mobile" bridges
Perhaps da Vinci's most insightful invention was the keel-shaped cannonball. Such cannonballs were shaped like artillery shells of the 20th century. This development was many centuries ahead of its time. It demonstrates the scientist's deep understanding of the laws of aerodynamics.
An invention called the “rotating bridge” was of great value for its time. This bridge became the prototype of modern mobile mechanized bridges designed for quickly crossing troops from one bank to another. The Da Vinci Bridge was solid and attached to one bank. After installing the bridge, it was supposed to turn it to the opposite bank using ropes.
Spacesuit
Yes, yes, its invention is also attributed to da Vinci. The diving suit was made of leather and equipped with glass lenses. The diver could breathe using reed tubes. The scientist proposed the concept of a diving suit to repel the threat posed by the Turkish fleet. According to the idea, the divers were supposed to dive to the bottom and wait for the arrival of enemy ships. When enemy ships appeared above the water, the divers had to commit sabotage and send the ships to the bottom. It was not destined to prove the correctness of this concept. Venice was able to resist the Turkish fleet without the help of saboteurs. By the way, the world’s first squad of combat swimmers appeared in Italy, but this happened only in 1941. The very design of the spacesuit, presented by da Vinci, can be considered innovative.
"Vitruvian Man" is one of Leonardo da Vinci's most famous drawings. The drawing is notable for its detailed recreation of the proportions of the human body. It simultaneously arouses scientific and cultural interest. It is noteworthy that long before the image of the “Vitruvian Man” by da Vinci, a similar drawing was made by the Italian scientist Mariano Taccola. True, the image of Taccola was only an undeveloped sketch.
Submarine, mine, gun parts
Leonardo da Vinci's recordings have survived to this day, in which one can clearly see the prototype of a submarine. But there is very little information about her. Most likely, on the surface the ship could move using sails. Underwater, the ship had to move using oar power.
To destroy enemy ships, da Vinci designed a special underwater mine. According to the inventor's plan, such a mine could be delivered to the side of an enemy ship by saboteur divers or a submarine. This idea was first implemented only in the second half of the 19th century, during the American Civil War.
Despite the abundance of inventions, only one of them brought da Vinci fame during his lifetime. We are talking about a wheel lock for a pistol. In the 16th century, this development gave rise to a real technological boom. The design turned out to be so successful that it was used until the 19th century.
All of the above is not a complete list of da Vinci’s inventions. In addition to these developments, among the master’s ideas were: a bearing, a mechanical ladder, a rapid-fire crossbow, a steam weapon, a ship with a double bottom, and much more.
“Mona Lisa” (“La Gioconda”) is perhaps the most mysterious example of painting in the world. The picture still raises many questions. So, it is not known for certain who exactly da Vinci depicted on his canvas. It is believed that the painting depicts the noble Florentine Lisa Gherardini. One of the most incredible theories is that the painting is a self-portrait of da Vinci himself.
Ideal city
If history had taken a different path, the small Italian town of Vigevano near Milan could have become a real wonder of the world. It was there that Leonardo da Vinci intended to realize his most ambitious idea - the ideal city. Da Vinci's project is reminiscent of a high-tech city of the future from literary works of science fiction. Or a utopia generated by the wild imagination of a writer.
The main feature of such a city was that it consisted of several tiers connected by stairs and passages. As you might guess, the upper tier was intended for the upper strata of society. The lower one was allocated for trade and services. The most important elements of transport infrastructure were also located there. The city was to become not only the greatest architectural achievement of the time, but also to embody many technical innovations. However, the project should not be perceived as a manifestation of soulless technocracy. Da Vinci paid a lot of attention to the comfort of the city's inhabitants. Practicality and hygiene were paramount. The scientist decided to abandon narrow medieval streets in favor of spacious roads and squares. One of the key aspects of the concept was the widespread use of water channels. Using a complex hydraulic system, water had to be supplied to every city building. Da Vinci believed that in this way it would be possible to eliminate unsanitary conditions and reduce the spread of disease to a minimum.
Having familiarized himself with the scientist’s concept, the Duke of Milan Ludovico Sforza considered the idea too adventurous. At the end of his life, Leonardo presented the same project to the French king Francis I. The scientist proposed to make the city the capital of the monarch, but the project remained on paper.
One of da Vinci's interests was anatomy. It is known that the master dismembered many corpses, trying to understand the mysteries of human anatomy. Most of all, the scientist was interested in the structure of muscles. Leonardo da Vinci wanted to understand the principle of human movement. He left behind many anatomical records.
Genius or plagiarist?
As you know, history develops in a spiral. Many inventions were born long before their development was appropriated by other inventors. Probably Leonardo da Vinci is no exception either. We should not forget that da Vinci had access to the scientific heritage of ancient civilization. In addition, da Vinci lived surrounded by the best minds of his time. He had the opportunity to communicate with outstanding figures of science and culture. The scientist could adopt many ideas from his colleagues.
Artist and engineer Mariano Taccola is a forgotten genius of the Renaissance. He died in 1453 (da Vinci was born in 1452). Unlike da Vinci, Mariano Taccola did not receive recognition during his life and did not gain worldwide fame after it. Meanwhile, many of Taccola's developments were continued in the works of da Vinci. It is known that Leonardo was familiar with the works of Francesco di Giorgio, which, in turn, were based on the ideas of Taccola. For example, in di Giorgio's manuscripts da Vinci had the opportunity to become familiar with Taccola's concept of a diving suit.
Inventions of Mariano Taccola
It would be a mistake to consider da Vinci the inventor of flying machines. In the 11th century, the monk Aylmer of Malmesbury lived in England. Possessing a wide knowledge of mathematics, he built a primitive hang glider and even made a short flight on it. It is known that Aylmer managed to fly more than two hundred meters.
There is a high probability that Leonardo also borrowed the helicopter concept. But already from the Chinese. In the 15th century, traders from China brought toys that resembled mini-helicopters to Europe.
A similar point of view is shared by the British historian Gavin Menzies, who believes that da Vinci adopted his most famous inventions from the inhabitants of the Middle Kingdom. Menzies claims that in 1430 a Chinese delegation visited Venice, passing on to the Venetians many of the developments of Chinese scientists.
During the creation of the Mona Lisa, da Vinci used a specially developed artistic technique. It was called sfumato. This technique involved the artist applying a minimal layer of paint to the canvas. This created the effect of air enveloping the objects and people depicted in the painting.
Be that as it may, Leonardo da Vinci always remains for us one of the greatest inventors of all times. Many ideas came to life thanks to Leonardo. The scientist improved various inventions and, more importantly, was able to make them visual. Do not forget that Leonardo da Vinci was a talented artist. The master left many sketches for his developments. And even if the ideas attributed to da Vinci do not belong to him, it cannot be denied that the scientist was able to systematize a huge layer of knowledge, conveying this knowledge to his descendants.
The birthplace of the great master is the village of Anchiano, which is located near the city of Vinci and is close to Florence. He was born in 1452 on April 15th. His parents did not have any title, his mother was a peasant, and his father was a notary. Very little time passed after Leonardo was born and his father left the family, marrying another woman who was rich. For some time the boy lived with his mother, but then his father took him in, since he and his new wife had no children. The young genius lacked maternal care and warmth, and this was subsequently reflected in many of his masterpieces.
The father dreamed that his son would continue his business and become a notary, but Leonardo remained indifferent to this profession. It is noteworthy that Leonardo did not have a surname in the sense in which we are accustomed to understand it.
The phrase “da Vinci” is translated as “originally from the city of Vinci.”
Since childhood, Leonardo already had a talent for drawing, which is why there is such a legend. One day, a peasant he knew asked Pierrot (the boy’s father) to find a master who could paint a wooden shield in some unusual way. Piero didn’t think twice and gave the shield to Leonardo. The little genius set to work with enthusiasm, and the result was a painting with the head of the gorgon Medusa. The image came out so natural and terrifying that even my father was scared when he saw it. Leonardo said that this is exactly the effect his creation should produce, since there is a semantic connection between the thing (the shield) and the image. The father did not give the completed work to his friend, but decided to sell it, for which he received 100 ducats.
The genius had many acquaintances and friends, as well as students. One can only guess about the personal life of Leonardo da Vinci, since practically nothing is known about it. The only thing that can be said is that he was never married. Some researchers of his life and work believe that da Vinci could have had relationships with men, perhaps with his students too. There are also scientists who talk about the master’s love affair with Lodovico Moro’s favorite, Cecilia Gallerani. The development of this version is largely facilitated by the fact that this woman posed for him to write the famous work “The Lady with an Ermine.”
Leonardo da Vinci spent the last years of his life in France. He lived in the castle of Clos Lucé of his friend, King Francis?. At that time, the master almost did not create new paintings and most of all paid attention to planning ceremonial events and constructing the palace in Romorantan.
One day, da Vinci's right hand became numb, this happened 2 years before he died. Even then it was difficult for him to walk without outside support. Already in the third year after his illness, Leonardo could no longer move independently and spent all his time lying down. A week before his death, the master made a will and died in the castle of Clos-Lucé in the arms of King Francis? in 1519. He was only 67 years old, but during his short life he left behind a huge and valuable legacy.
Brief information about inventions
It is well deserved to attribute a global meaning to da Vinci’s inventions, since they are truly unique. During the master’s lifetime, almost none of his ideas could be translated into reality. Either the master did not have enough funds or desire for this. Thus, sketches of future inventions were preserved only in paper form. It so happened that the world learned about them after Leonardo’s death, since he never shared his thoughts with anyone.
It is quite possible that if all the ideas had been translated into reality, technological progress could have begun much earlier. But, if you think about it, it becomes obvious that in the 15th century there were not yet the necessary tools and devices to “give life” to the scientist’s sketches. And only now, when with the help of modern technologies engineers were able to construct these inventions, it became clear that they all work and are of practical importance. So, let's begin.
A cart that rolls by itself
This design can be considered as a prototype of a modern car. The sketches made by the master do not fully explain what allows the cart to move independently, but scientists have the following assumption.
Perhaps the cart was supposed to move using a spring mechanism, such as is used in clocks. In order to hide the springs, there were drum-shaped housings that were wound manually. Thus, everything happened like a wind-up toy: the spring unwinds, and this makes it possible for the cart to move forward.
However, such a design could only turn to the right, which would be a significant drawback and would make it not a very practical device. It is assumed that da Vinci considered his own invention something like a children's toy.
Robotic device
This is another one of da Vinci's most amazing inventions. By the way, this is one of the few devices that was implemented during the author’s lifetime. To create it, the master meticulously studied the anatomical structure of the human body, studying from reference books and even dismembering real corpses. When he learned that the movement of bones is carried out with the help of muscles, he thought that the same mechanism could form the basis of the technique.
In this case, the master did not put any practical significance into his creation, so the robot was used to entertain guests at celebrations hosted by the inventor’s friend, Lodovico Sforza. Very little information has been preserved about what this machine could do, but, of course, the robot of that time was very different from modern capabilities and technologies. Based on the master’s sketches, it can be argued that the robot could work with its jaws, sit and even walk. The invention was based on the use of a system of gears and pulleys.
Making a parachute
During the time of Leonardo da Vinci, many people became interested in the idea of a flying man, and were looking for a way to construct a device for this purpose. But such attempts were not very successful. And only “our” genius managed to draw a sketch of a real aircraft. In order to be able to drift freely through the air, da Vinci invented a parachute. It was shaped like a pyramid, and the entire invention was supposed to be draped in fabric.
The author himself left a note to this invention stating that it allows a person to jump from any height, and at the same time not only stay alive, but also not hurt himself. The quality of the invention was proven by modern scientists who, using da Vinici’s drawings, compiled a model of the flying machine.
Weapon
Leonardo da Vinci's inventions even include such things as a machine gun, which was called the “33-barreled organ.” Of course, such weapons differed in many ways from modern ones, but they could cause significant harm to the enemy’s strength if they were created. Such an invention could fire volleys at small intervals. But its disadvantage was that it would not be possible to quickly fire bullets from one barrel.
The operating principle of this machine gun is simple. Ten muskets had to be assembled on a board in the shape of a rectangle, after which three such boards had to be folded into a triangle. If you place a shaft in the center, you can manually rotate this structure, with one set of 11 guns firing while the other two reload and cool down. After this, the entire structure should be deployed and the next salvo launched.
This invention contradicts the life principles of Leonardo da Vinci, since he repeatedly emphasized his dislike of military action, and especially of those machines that are aimed at killing. However, the master at that time was in great need of money, so he had to create what was needed by society at different stages of its development. And it was not difficult to convince rich people that his inventions could significantly improve the outcome of the war and defeat the enemy.
Ornithopter
One of da Vinci’s amazing inventions, which serves as an analogue to most of the master’s flying designs. Unlike a parachute, which should be designed to save a person in the event of a jump from a great height, an ornithopter would give the opportunity to hover in the air, enjoying the flight. In the scientist’s sketches, this device is very similar in structure not to an airplane, but to a bird, since it has the same wings, adapted to support the mass of a person.
It was assumed that such a machine would operate through a pilot. As soon as they turn the handle, the wings will begin to move. Modern engineers have designed this aircraft and are convinced that this device could well work for its intended purpose if it were in the airspace. Da Vinci also owns several other similar designs of flying machines.
Armored tank
Another unusual idea is an armored tank. Despite the fact that Leonardo hated war, he had to draw a diagram of the tank, since he worked for influential people - Ludovico Sforza, as well as the Duke of Milan. In shape and appearance, the design was supposed to resemble a turtle, equipped with gear wheels that made up a certain system. There were supposed to be 36 guns on the structure from different sides. Eight soldiers were supposed to be placed inside the tank, protected by external armor. Thanks to this armor, they could easily get into the thick of hostilities without being harmed at all. Firing 36 guns could cause significant damage to the enemy.
It is noteworthy that the diagram constructed by the author has a significant flaw. The wheels intended for moving forward did not spin in the same direction as the rear ones, but in the opposite direction. Obviously, if the tank were built, it would not be able to carry out its movement. But da Vinci could not just make this kind of mistake. Perhaps he had special reasons for this.
For example, some researchers claim that in this way the master wanted to protect his people. If the scheme fell into the hands of enemies, they would not be able to bring it into reality without the author. According to another version, the scientist was simply against the construction of this machine. The last guess seems more reliable, since the genius was an opponent of all kinds of military conflicts.
Air propeller
This is Da Vinci's invention, which could work like the helicopter that exists today. Such a machine, which can fly, looked like a huge pinwheel. The blades of this invention consisted of flax.
If you make it rotate very quickly, it is likely that this will lead to the creation of aerodynamic pressure and the necessary thrust, which is necessary just so that a helicopter or plane can stay in the air. Under each of the blades, the air space would create pressure, which could lift the given machine into the air. It is quite possible that such an unusual propeller, designed back in the 15-16th century, could fly and create a real revolutionary boom in the technological process.
Building cities
At the time when the scientist lived in Milan, the whole of Europe was swept by the black plague. Most often, cities, not villages, were susceptible to this disease. Da Vinci thought about this problem and decided to propose his own plan for building a clean city in a sanitary sense. Such a city would be based on a system of instant waste disposal, thereby preventing the development of harmful microorganisms. It is a pity that this idea was not brought to life, since the master did not find a philanthropist willing to invest his fortune in the construction of such a city. Inventions like Leonardo da Vinci's could actually improve the lives of most people.
Something about the unsolved secrets from the life of da Vinci
- The smile of Gioconda has been repeatedly covered in many research works. The fact is that everyone who looks at the picture sees it differently. Some people think that Mona Lisa’s face is thoughtful, some think it’s a little sly, and some say that she doesn’t smile at all. It also still remains a mystery who is depicted in the portrait. Some scientists even put forward the version that this is the author himself, only in a female guise.
- "Unusual Predictions" It turns out that not only Leonardo da Vinci’s inventions are full of mysteries, but also his prophecies written on paper. Thus, many of the genius’s predictions have been preserved, encrypted in semantic riddles, some of which scientists have already managed to solve, and which contain information about what will happen several centuries in the future.
- Da Vinci wrote with his left hand from right to left. Such a familiar style of writing for him is quite difficult for the average person to immediately read.
- This brilliant artist, while painting his masterpieces, was never in a hurry to complete them. He could even just start a painting, then leave the city for a long time, and only then continue working. It is also noteworthy that he never corrected his works if they turned out to be spoiled by fire, water or barbarians.
Thus, we got acquainted with the life of the great master and learned how Leonardo da Vinci created his inventions.
Leonardo da Vinci is rightfully considered one of the greatest inventors in history. His inventions were sometimes so ahead of their time that they baffled modern scientists. Leonardo, as an inventor, is a shining example of a “universal man”, a genius in all areas of life. Under what conditions such a mind is born is still a huge mystery for researchers. And only one thing is extremely clear: such people are born very rarely and always make a huge, invaluable contribution to history, and their names will never be lost in history and will never lose their significance for people.
Leonardo da Vinci made incredible discoveries for his time. They were so ahead of his era that they seemed fantastic. Of course, as always happens with legendary personalities, the figure of Leonardo became overgrown with myths over time: some people began to attribute supernatural abilities to him, others began to add to the already large list of his inventions those that he did not make. All this happened because this man had a truly unique way of thinking, which could develop equally intensively in seemingly opposite directions: painting, biology, mechanics, literature, medicine... and in all these areas he made really important discoveries, some of which were never taken seriously by his contemporaries.
Military technical inventions of Leonardo da Vinci
Few people know that the great thinker had his own ideas about military equipment, which only centuries later came to life (of course, greatly improved). In Leonardo's notes, military vehicles were found that could be called analogues of a modern tank. In his notebooks, he depicted a “chariot” made of wood and metal armor that would look like a turtle on the outside. The tank had an observation tower at the very top and 36 guns located around the perimeter. This structure had to move on wheels and be driven by the efforts of several people. Another military invention of the genius is a cannon, which would now be called a “three-barreled gun.” The implementation of this mechanism would probably change the outcome of many wars in which Italy was involved.
Water and its inhabitants were of great interest to da Vinci. When the scientist lived in Venice, he devoted a lot of time to researching the underwater world and in the process created the first analogue of scuba gear. Leonardo assumed that such equipment could be used during water battles to cause damage to enemy ships. He made a special suit of leather, equipped with glass lenses, reed tubes for air supply and an underwater bell that provided it. The suit even had a special compartment for toileting.
He was drawn not only to the depths of the sea, but also closer to the sky: among his sketches were found drawings depicting in detail the operation of devices for flight. One of these inventions is recognized as the prototype of a modern helicopter. He depicted a screw, which was supposed to be made of flax, and would subsequently have to be set in motion manually. Unfortunately, Leonardo lacked the resources and technical advances to bring this creation to life.
photo from the site http://www.sciencedebate2008.com Da Vinci made more than one attempt to create a device that would imitate a bird's wing. When this idea failed, he set out to create a device that would allow a person to glide. In addition, Leonardo came up with a parachute, which was not implemented at the time. The device involved a large fabric dome that would fill with air when falling and slow down the fall. However, a real parachute, working on approximately the same principle, was created only in the 20th century.
Leonardo also looked for new methods of moving on earth, and in his drawings he proposed one of the first mechanisms for a machine that would move “by itself.” It was assumed that it would be set in motion by a spring, and it would roll on three wheels. The fourth wheel was designed to create direction and turns. To drive such a “car” two people were needed. By the way, such a mechanism was actually assembled by enthusiasts from Florence in 2004. It worked exactly as described in the scientist's notes.
Da Vinci also made discoveries in the field of geology. He, contrary to the beliefs of his era, argued that the mountains were once much lower and rose upward over many millennia. Shells, which were often found at the very tops of mountains, helped him draw such conclusions. The main opinion of his compatriots was that these shells ended up there thanks to. The researcher insisted that they had been lying there since the time when the tops of the mountains were the shores of the seas.
Among other things, Leonardo da Vinci spent years researching human anatomy. His knowledge allowed him to imagine a prototype of a real robot in his notebooks. He based the machine on the same principle of movement that the human body uses. Its mechanism was driven by a system of pulleys and gears.
photo from the site http://www.sciencedebate2008.com The genius also created things that any person has used at least once in everyday life, for example, a mechanical drill or a bicycle. In addition, he invented a wheeled pistol lock, which, by the way, was recognized during Leonardo’s lifetime, a telescope, a searchlight, a catapult... Of course, all these things are now modernized and unrecognizable when compared with the works of the genius. But does this detract from his merits?
Art of Leonardo da Vinci
Everyone knows the paintings painted by Leonardo da Vinci: they are legendary, will never become obsolete and will always be of great value to humanity. The genius created during the Renaissance and his painting is the clearest example of the art of that time. And despite the fact that Leonardo did not discover any new components in tempera or oil, his composition was innovative for that time. He intricately combined painting and architecture on canvas, creating an ideal perspective, which is still not available to every professional artist.
The subjects of Leonardo's paintings, in turn, speak of him as an unsurpassed thinker and philosopher. Studying Mona Lisa and the Last Supper, researchers and art historians are still finding new interpretations not only of the works themselves, but also of the Bible.
After the death of the genius, his friend published da Vinci’s fundamental work, “Treatise on Painting.” At the moment, it has not only artistic and historical value, but also literary value: the monograph is written in an even and light style, which was not used in the 15th century. Leonardo's invaluable legacy is also contained in his work “On the Game of Chess.” The genius illustrated the book, written by another mathematician, and also, according to many researchers, composed a significant part of the problems contained in it. Chess masters still use them in their moves.
In addition to the above, Leonardo left behind more than seven thousand pages of notes, drawings and sketches, and in 2005 an archive was found in which even more manuscripts of the genius could be discovered. Perhaps in them humanity will discover new sides of an already truly multifaceted personality
Leonardo da Vinci was convinced that "a person who overcomes air resistance with the help of large artificial wings can rise into the air."
Convinced that he was right, he began to develop an apparatus driven only by the power of a person’s muscles, and allowing him to soar in the air like a bird. There are many drawings of this "ornitotteri" invented by Leonardo. Some of them depict a person lying down, who is about to take off with the help of mechanisms attached to the wings; others are propelled forward by a more advanced system of screws and pulleys. There are also drawings of a man positioned vertically in a flying ship, on the pedals of which he pressed with his hands and feet.
To design the "ornitotteri" wings, Leonardo studied the anatomy of a bird's wing, taking into account the function and distribution of its feathers. While observing the bird's flight, the scientist noticed that it flaps its wings differently when it hovers in the air, flies forward, or lands. He was also interested in the webbed wings of bats. Based on these observations, Leonardo designed huge wings designed not only to lift a person into the air, but also to keep him in flight, thanks to ailerons and hinges. He intended to imitate the aerial acrobatics of birds, their ability to conserve energy in flight and land accurately. Until the end of the 15th century, Leonardo was convinced that he could carry out the project of mechanical flight. However, he was concerned about the fact that the capabilities of human muscles are limited. Therefore, he was going to use the bow mechanism instead of muscle energy, which would provide forward movement. However, the bow did not solve the problems of autonomy in flight that arise when the spring unwinds quickly.
From 1503 to 1506 Leonardo was busy with research in Tuscany. Atmospheric conditions, the presence or absence of wind, and corresponding meteorological and aerodynamic phenomena forced him to abandon his old idea of an “instrument” based on the flapping of wings, and to recognize “flight without the movement of wings.”
Observing how large birds allow air currents to pick them up and carry them in the air, Leonardo thought about equipping a person with large compound wings that would enable him to enter a suitable air current with the help of simple body movements and without expending much effort. A person will float freely until he falls to the ground like a “dry leaf”.
Systematic research undertaken by Leonardo at the beginning of the 16th century led him to the need to study the “quality and density of air.” For this purpose he designed hydroscopic instruments. Leonardo emphasized that the laws of aerodynamics are similar to the laws of hydrostatics, i.e. the science of water is a mirror image of the science of wind, “which (the science of wind) we will show through the movement of water and this important science will be a step forward in the understanding of bird flight in the air.” .
In fact, the design of devices capable of flying has long attracted human attention. The passion for aircraft modeling, which for many begins with kites and paper airplanes, has now been successfully realized by manufacturers of radio-controlled models. Model airplanes can hardly be called toys, because most of them participate in serious competitions. Professionals divide aircraft modeling into amateur and sports, with the first type of hobby having the largest number of fans.
The idea of flight in the works of Leonardo da Vinci
Dmitry Alekseevich Sobolev, Ph.D. Sciences, Institute of History of Natural Science and Technology named after. S.I. Vavilova, RAS
One of the most interesting pages in the multifaceted work of Leonardo da Vinci is research devoted to the problem of human flight. Leonardo was the first scientist to seriously study this topic. His manuscripts contain drawings and brief descriptions of various aircraft. He returned to this topic throughout his creative career: the first projects of flying machines date back to the mid-80s. XV century, and the latter date from the second decade of the XVI century.
The most numerous projects of devices with flapping wings are ornithopters. This is quite natural, since the bird was always the role model at the early stage of aviation development.
The first known design of a flying machine by Leonardo da Vinci was the design of an ornithopter, where a person should be in a recumbent position (1485-1487) (Fig. 1). To flap the wings, you need to use both the strength of the arms and the legs of the “pilot”. The wing axis was positioned in such a way that when moving down, it simultaneously moved backward, creating, along with the lifting force, the forward force necessary for horizontal flight.
Leonardo not only gave a brief description of the design, but also gave recommendations on testing the device. He wrote: “You will test this device over the lake and put on a long fur as a belt so that you don’t drown if you fall. It is also necessary that the lowering of the wings be done with the strength of both legs at the same time, so that you can delay and balance, lowering one wing faster than the other, looking if necessary, just as you see kites and other birds do. Moreover, lowering with two legs is always more powerful than with one... And raising the wings should be done by the force of a spring or, if you want, by hand, or even better by lifting legs, this is better, because then your hands are freer" (Leonardo da Vinci. Selected works of natural science. M. 1955. P. 605).
To control flight altitude, da Vinci proposed an original mechanism consisting of a movable horizontal tail unit connected to a hoop on a person’s head. By raising and lowering his head, the tester had, according to Leonardo’s plan, to raise and lower the tail surface of the ornithopter (Fig. 2).
In an effort to reduce the effort required to move the wings, the great Italian inventor proposed making special fabric valves on the flapping surfaces, which, when the wing moves downwards, would be tightly pressed against the mesh stretched over the wing reinforcement, and during the reverse stroke would open, allowing air to pass freely. A similar idea was later used by other ornithopter designers.
Another option ornithoptera, proposed by Leonardo in the same years, was an apparatus in which a person had to flap his wings, like a cyclist, rotating with his feet wheels connected by levers to the power structure of the wings (Fig. 3). In the sketch of this device, what attracts attention is something resembling a bell suspended in front of the “pilot’s” face. Researchers are still debating what it could be. In my opinion, this device is a pendulum designed to indicate position in space. It is known that around 1485 the scientist made a sketch of such a device (Fig. 4). If this is so, then we see the first drawing of an aircraft instrument.
The most famous project is ornithopter boat(Fig. 5). It dates from about 1487. Apparently, a person had to sit or stand in the boat, moving levers connected to the wings. Another lever was intended for turning the horizontal steering wheel, shaped like a bird's tail.
At the end of the 1480s. Leonardo da Vinci makes a drawing and description of a large flying machine with two pairs of flapping wings (Fig. 6). Standing in something like a bowl, the man set his wings in motion using a system of pulleys. Interestingly, the device had a retractable landing gear; the supports could be folded upward using gates and cables (Fig. 7).
Leonardo explained the concept of his new ornithopter this way: “I decided that standing on your feet is better than lying flat, for the device can never turn upside down... The rise and fall of the movement [of the wings] will be done by lowering and raising both legs, which gives great strength, and your arms remain free. If you had to lie flat, your legs, at the shin joints, would become very tired..." (Leonardo da Vinci. Selected works of natural science..P.606).
This reasoning is, of course, correct, but nevertheless this project should be considered one of the least successful results of Leonardo da Vinci’s creative research. The very large dimensions of the device: wingspan - 40 cubits (about 16 m), structural height - 25 cubits (10 m), complex and heavy transmission - all this made the chances of getting into the air even less realistic than with previous ornithopters.
Apparently, over time, Leonardo himself realized the unreality of his plan. Perhaps he even conducted some experiments, since in his notes 1485-1490. There is a drawing of an experiment to determine the lift force of a flapping wing (Fig. 8). A little later, he pointed out the possibility of using a bow compressed with great force as a source of energy for the movement of wings (Fig. 9). When extended, a powerful bow could indeed create a large impulse of force, but it would be very short-lived, and at best the machine could only jump upward.
A hint for getting out of this deadlock was given by a thorough study of the mechanism of bird flight, which the scientist became interested in at the turn of the 15th-16th centuries. Observation of birds prompted him to the correct idea that the main thrust in flight is created by the end parts of the wing. As a result, at the very end of the 15th century. Leonardo makes a drawing of a fundamentally new design for an ornithopter - with a wing consisting of two articulated parts (Fig. 10). The flapping had to be carried out by the outer parts, making up about half of the total wing area. This idea, which is the first step in the emergence of the concept of a fixed-wing aircraft - an airplane, found practical implementation in the last decade of the 19th century. in the experiments of the famous German aviation pioneer O. Lilienthal. It is known that he tried to fly with a glider, the ends of the wing were driven by an engine attached to his body (Fig. 11).
The next step in the evolution of Leonardo's views on the design of a flying machine is associated with his study of the mechanism of soaring and gliding flight of birds. He concluded: “...When a bird is in the wind, it can stay on it without flapping its wings, because the same role that the wing performs in relation to the air when the air is still, is performed by the moving air in relation to the wings when the wings are stationary” ( Leonardo da Vinci. Selected works of natural science. P.497).
Based on this principle, known today as the principle of reversibility of movement, Leonardo comes to the conclusion: it is not a person who should push the air with his wings, but the wind should hit the wings and carry them in the air, just as he moves a sailing ship. Then the pilot of the flying machine will only need to maintain balance using the wings. “It does not require much strength to support oneself and balance on one’s wings and direct them into the path of the winds and control one’s course; small movements of the wings are enough for this,” writes Leonardo da Vinci in 1505 (Giacomelly, R. The aerodynamics of Leonardo da Vinci // Aernautical Journal. 1930. Vol. 34. P. 1021)
Based on the concept he developed, the scientist decided to create a new type of aircraft. Most likely, it should have been fundamentally different from the ornithopters of previous years. According to the Italian researcher of Leonardo da Vinci's work, R. Giacomelli, it could have been a monoplane with a wingspan of approximately 18 m, designed for flight in rising air currents (in modern terminology, a soaring glider). The wings were movable, but compared to previous projects their mobility was very limited and would only serve for balancing (Giacomelly, R. Leonardo da Vinci e il volo meccanico // L "Aerotechnica. 1927. No. 8. P. 518-524 .).
The manned “artificial bird” was supposed to launch from the top of Monte Cecheri (Swan Mountain) in the vicinity of Florence and, picked up by vertical currents, rise into the air. “The great bird will begin its first flight from the back of its gigantic swan, filling the universe with amazement, filling all scriptures with its fame, and eternal glory to the nest where it was born,” wrote Leonardo da Vinci in his Treatise on the Flight of Birds (1505). ) (Leonardo da Vinci. Selected works of natural science. P.494).
But Italy was not destined to become the birthplace of gliding. Loaded with numerous orders, Leonardo was never able to begin implementing his idea (or did not want to - for him it was always more interesting to generate projects and postulates than to bring them to life).
Shortly before his death, the scientist once again returned to thoughts about moving through the air using a fixed wing. His manuscript, kept at the Institute of France in Paris, contains a little-known drawing dating from 1510-1515. (Fig. 12). It depicts a man holding a plane with his hands and descending through the air, and there is an indication of the method of control: “This [man] will move to the right if he bends his right arm and straightens his left; and will then move from right to left as he changes position hands" (Gibbs-Smith, C. Leonardo da Vinci's aeronautics. London, 1967. P. 21.). Apparently, this idea of a simple balanced glider, or, more precisely, a controlled parachute, arose from Leonardo as a result of observing falling of a sheet of paper in the air.
Speaking about Leonardo da Vinci's research in the field of flight, one cannot fail to mention two more pioneering projects - the parachute project and the helicopter project. Both of them were made in the 1480s, at the same time as the first proposals for the creation of ornithopters.
Leonardo accompanied the drawing of a man descending on a pyramid-shaped parachute (Fig. 13) with the inscription: “If a person has a tent of starched linen, 12 cubits wide and 12 cubits high, he will be able to throw himself from any great height without danger to himself” (Leonardo da Vinci. Selected works of natural science. P. 615).
The familiar image of Leonardo da Vinci's helicopter (Fig. 14) represents the first project of a vertically taking off aircraft. Unlike modern helicopters with a bladed propeller, this machine had to take off using the well-known in the 15th century. Archimedean screw, with a diameter of about 8 m. Despite the fact that the screw had to be unscrewed by hand, Leonardo da Vinci believed in the feasibility of his project: “I say that when this device made by a screw is made well, that is, from canvas, the pores of which are starched, and is quickly set into rotation [...] the said screw is screwed into the air and rises up."
Like all first proposals, these projects were still imperfect. The parachute did not have a special hole in the top of the canopy, providing a stable descent trajectory, and the helicopter design did not take into account the influence of the reaction torque from the rotation of the propeller, which would spin the structure located below, and the shape of the propeller was far from the best. But they both represent remarkable technical foresight nonetheless.
The remarkable ideas of Leonardo da Vinci remained unknown for a long time, since he did not publish the results of his research. Ultimately, what Leonardo achieved over several decades dragged on for centuries. Only in the 18th century, unsuccessful attempts to fly by flapping wings attached to the arms and legs were replaced by the first designs of aircraft with a fixed wing generating lift and small movable wings to create forward force - Swedenborg (Sweden, 1716), Bauer ( Germany, 1763), Keighley (England, 1799). Flights on balancing gliders began at the end of the 19th century, and the first helicopters appeared only in the 20th century.
An analysis of the development of views on the design of a winged aircraft in the works of Leonardo da Vinci and in the works of subsequent aviation pioneers allows us to draw the following general conclusion: contrary to the common point of view among aviation historians, the idea of an aircraft did not originate in itself as an alternative concept to the ornithopter, but “grew” from projects of devices with flapping wings through a series of intermediate designs of half-aircraft, half-ornithopter, the author of the first of which was the great Leonardo.
Vertical "ORNITOTTERO"
The need for a more powerful source of energy led Leonardo to the idea of using all parts of the human body during flight. The picture shows a man controlling sliding mechanisms not only with the help of his arms and legs, but also with his head, which, according to Leonardo, “has a force equal to 200 pounds.” A man stands in the center of a huge vessel, which is a bowl with a diameter of 12 m, equipped with a ladder (12 m). The wings of the device had a width of 24 m and a span of 4.8 m. On this device, Leonardo intended to use two pairs of wings, flapping alternately.
Helicopter
This drawing is an image of the “ancestor” of the modern helicopter. The radius of the propeller was 4.8 m. It had a metal edging and a linen covering. The screw was driven by people who walked around the axis and pushed the levers. There was another way to start the propeller - it was necessary to quickly unwind the cable under the axis. “I think that if this screw mechanism is well made, that is, made of starched linen (to avoid tearing) and quickly spun, then it will find support in the air and fly high into the air.”
Hydroscope
The hydroscope is an instrument invented by Alberti. It was a simple set of scales with a hydroscopic substance (cotton wool, sponge, etc.) and wax that did not absorb water. According to Leonardo, the device was used to “find out the quality and density of the air and when it would rain.”
Tilt meter
This device is a pendulum placed inside a glass vessel (in the shape of a bell), which serves to “direct the apparatus (aircraft) straight or inclined, as you prefer, that is, when you want to fly straight, place the ball in the middle of the circle.” .
Balancing Study
The movements of the glider in flight were controlled by movable wings and the balancing of the pilot: “a person must be free from the waist down so that he can balance himself, although he is in a boat, and so that his center of gravity coincides with the center of gravity of the entire structure and is balanced with him".
Equilibrium Study
The scientist conducted a study of the glider's balance in order to determine the bird's center of gravity. There are no drawings of this glider, but it is known that it must have been built from lightweight materials: bamboo and fabric with fastenings and guy lines made of raw silk or special leather. A tall structure made of reeds in the shape of a cylinder or parallelepiped was apparently pulled out by straps from the very wide (about 10 m wide) wings of this glider. In this design, the pilot was located much lower than the wings, which created the balance of the device.
Reclining "ORNITOTTERO"
This drawing is one of Leonardo's most famous drawings: "A rotates the wing, B turns it with a lever, C lowers it, D raises it." A man lies stretched out on the platform: “The heart is located in this place.” The legs are threaded into stirrups in such a way that one leg raises the wing, the other lowers it. This is an aircraft in which a prostrate person turns pedals that raise and lower the wings, bending and rotating them with the help of ropes and levers, i.e. this device seems to be “rowing” through the air.
In another variant, the "Ornitottero", the four wings were driven by the pilot's hands and feet. The hands raised the wings with the help of a drum, and the legs lowered one pair of wings in turn. Thus, the rhythm of the flapping wings accelerated. The device on the pilot's back was controlled by winding the ropes onto the drums and unwinding them.
Model "ORNITOTTERO"
Here is one of the options "ORNITOTTERO". The pilot with the equipment on his back was located under a metal semicircle; the movement of the wings was created by the movement of the legs. This was helped by the hands operating the handles located under the semicircle. The steering wheel was placed on the pilot's neck. The direction of flight was determined by turning the head.
Ornithopter
The fuselage is shaped like a pilot's boat. Apparently, Leonardo thought about air in the same terms as about water. The huge wings (similar to bat wings) are driven by a system of screws and nuts. As on boats, a rudder was provided. The wide tail plane must have been intended to control the height.
The picture shows not a glider controlled by a pilot, but an interesting “hybrid”. The pilot hangs vertically in the center of the vehicle, the tips of the wings have joints that control the vehicle, and a rigid structure supports it.
Spring driven ornithopter
Convinced that it was impossible to control such a device using only the power of human muscles, Leonardo gave alternative solutions. For example, he designed a device with a spring-starting device that transfers its energy to the wings of the “ornitottero” (in this case, vertical) at the moment the spring straightens. In the detailed work on the left, Leonardo depicted a device similar to those he used in his “car” and in some clock mechanisms. This system was theoretically so ahead of its time that it even received the name “Leonardo’s Airplane.” In practice, it turned out to be imperfect due to the need to quickly unwind the spring and the difficulties in rewinding it during flight.
Parachute
“If a person has an awning made of thick fabric, each side of which is 12 arm lengths, and the height is 12, then he can jump from any significant height without breaking.”
Flight of bird
Thanks to systematic studies of bird flight, Leonardo decided to replace flight with flapping wings with gliding flight. Around 1505, his book “Codice sul Volo degli Uccelli” was completed (it is currently in Turin, in the former Royal Library). These drawings are from this book.
Wind speed measuring device
There was another type of anemometer. It was made from cone-shaped tubes and was used to determine whether the wind turning a wheel was proportional to the air intake opening in the cone, given identical wind intensity.
System of braces for levers and connections
Leonardo believed that the wings could be raised and lowered by a system of ropes and pulleys, driven by the pilot's legs in stirrups and his hands operating the handles. While rising and falling, the wings also bent and straightened using an automatic system of guys, levers and connections.
Descent to the ground "with a dry leaf"
“A person will turn to the right if he bends his right arm and extends his left; by changing these movements, he will turn from right to left.”
Anemometer
The picture shows a “plate anemometer”, or “brush”, since feathers were traditionally used to sample the wind. The device is a graduated reed with thin plates that move depending on the intensity of the wind.
Vertical take-off and landing apparatus
Leonardo planned to place a system of retractable staircases on the vertical “ornitottero”. Nature served as an example for him: “look at the stone swift, which sat on the ground and cannot take off because of its short legs; and when it is in flight, pull out a ladder, as shown in the second image from above... this is how you need to take off from the plane; these stairs serve as legs...". Regarding landing, he wrote: "These hooks (concave wedges - see details on the right), which are attached to the base of the ladders, serve the same purpose as the tips of the toes of the person who jumps on them, without his whole body being shaken by it." as if he were jumping in heels."
Wheel project with four crossbows
Leonardo's drawings
Art and Science
Drawing of a large cannon placed on a carriage
This drawing depicts the courtyard of the fortress, filled with ammunition, numerous cannons, gun carriages and cannonballs. In the center of the picture is a large structure that is used to hold a huge cannon on its carriage. The weapon is operated by a large group of naked men. In the foreground we see a stand for a cannon. Vinci hoped that in Milan he would have the opportunity to work on the creation of similar machines, peaceful or military, but none of his projects were ever brought to life.
Drawing of articulated wings
After detailed research into the field of flying machines controlled solely by the power of the muscles of the human body, Leonardo tried to come close to creating a mechanical machine for flight that would be controlled only by the muscles of the pilot's legs. The engineer was convinced that a person's muscle strength was enough to rise into the air.
Model of a lever imparting rotational motion to the wing
These drawings show a model of a lever for controlling the wings. It appeared as a result of studying the technique of flight, which Leonardo did for many years. In the picture you can see the “insides” of a complex mechanism; the picture is accompanied by a detailed description.
An aircraft that follows the structure of a bird's wings, with solid bridges
The wings of Leonardo's aircraft were based on the structure of the wings of birds and bats. To make the pilot comfortable during the flight, Leonardo assigns him a place in the center of the machine, behind the wing mechanism.
Drawing of a flying car
Throughout his life, the master studied the mechanism of bird wings. He was particularly interested in the proportions of wings and their functioning, and he used the knowledge he gained in the design of flying machines.
Conclusion
Of course, these are not all of Leonardo's drawings that deserve attention, but they are all separate works and can be assessed outside the context of the author and his other works.
Leonardo's drawings and drawings updated: September 11, 2017 by: Gleb
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