The Genius of Leonardo

The Genius of Leonardo is a touring exhibit that has made it's US debut at the Witte Museum here in town. The press release can be found HERE. Basically it's "the world's largest interactive exhibition" of Da Vinci's inventions and "features 40 life-sized and operational machines constructed from in-depth studies of Leonardo's designs."

The exhibit not only had the "machines" but they also had written explanations about what the machines did and their applications to subsequent technology. One of these was the "Ornithopter" which means "a machine designed to fly by flapping its wings". In this particular ornithopter, the pilot acts as the engine. By moving the various ropes, he would cause the wings to "flap". The modern day application of this is the helicopter. Of course, the "Ornithopter" was never built, but the reason why Da Vinci is so impressive is that he was able to think "outside the box" and came up with so many potentially workable ideas.

One machine that could have been potentially useful was this contraption that you can see DH helping DS#3 to operate. The circular motion of the wheel (which ideally could have been powered with water) turns into the up and down motion of the blades that were used to cut the logs.


This photo shows one of the smaller exhibits that brings into action one of Da Vince's drawings where a machine converts a revolving motion into a one-way motion, or a "rack and pinion" mechanism. This mechanism is "often used today in "automobile jacks, windshield wipers, and 'rack and pinion' steering."


There was also a area in the exhibit called "Leonardo's Workshop". DD had fun in the area where they used small catapults to propel ping pong balls toward a picture of a castle. DS#3 also enjoyed this exhibit, although he just played with the balls and he didn't much care for the catapult. DS#2 built a domed structure out of styrofoam blocks, and built an arch out of fake "stones". DS#1 and DH put together this rather cool structure called "Leonardo's Bridge". The ladies who were building it right before us took a rather long time, but DH and DS#1 took only a few minutes. The structure looks very delicate but in reality was quite sturdy once finished.

I hope I explained all of this well enough. If this exhibit happens to come to a neighboring city, go see it! It was truly worth the price of admission! :)