The Innovators Behind Leonardo: The True Story of the Scientific and Technological Renaissance

Description

This engaging book places Leonardo da Vinci’s scientific achievements within the wider context of the rapid development that occurred during the Renaissance. It demonstrates how his contributions were not in fact born of isolated genius, but rather part of a rich period of collective advancement in science and technology, which began at least 50 years prior to his birth. Readers will discover a very special moment in history, when creativity and imagination were changing the future—shaping our present. They will be amazed to discover how many technological inventions had already been conceived or even designed by the engineers and inventors who preceded Leonardo, such as Francesco di Giorgio and Taccola, the so-called Siena engineers. This engaging volume features a wealth of illustrations from a variety of original sources, such as manuscripts and codices, enabling the reader to see and judge for him or herself the influence that other Renaissance engineers and inventors had on Leonardo. Front Matter ....Pages i-xxix Leonardo and the “Others”: Engineers and Inventors of the Early Italian Renaissance (Plinio Innocenzi)....Pages 1-25 Cupolas and Machines (Plinio Innocenzi)....Pages 27-44 A Codex Atlanticus: A Book Thief, Jokes, and Fake Bicycles (Plinio Innocenzi)....Pages 45-62 Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines (Plinio Innocenzi)....Pages 63-91 Flotation, Walking on Water, and Diving Under the Sea (Plinio Innocenzi)....Pages 93-118 Paddle Boats, Submarines, and Other Sea Vessels (Plinio Innocenzi)....Pages 119-144 Wind Chariots and “Automobiles” (Plinio Innocenzi)....Pages 145-163 Perpetuum Mobile (Plinio Innocenzi)....Pages 165-180 Homo ad Circulum (Plinio Innocenzi)....Pages 181-205 A Friend, an Enigmatic Portrait, and Two Duchesses (Plinio Innocenzi)....Pages 207-229 The Divine Proportion (Plinio Innocenzi)....Pages 231-260 The Geometry of Shapes and Unfashionable Headgear (Plinio Innocenzi)....Pages 261-276 The Measure of Time (Plinio Innocenzi)....Pages 277-306 Mission Impossible: Squaring the Circle (Plinio Innocenzi)....Pages 307-320 A Lost Industrial Revolution and Leonardo’s Gun (Plinio Innocenzi)....Pages 321-332 Beyond Leonardo (Plinio Innocenzi)....Pages 333-342 Back Matter ....Pages 343-351