2. Leonardo Da Vinci
Born in Vinci, Italy, an illegitimate son to a peasant woman and a successful notary,
he began his life facing hardship and obscurity.
With no privilege of a formal education, Da Vinci launched a self-education
program.
He grew up in nature, and began to use his keen skill of observation to learn about
the world around him.
He was alive during a tumultuous, yet progressive time for Italy and for the world.
Constantinople had just fallen, ending the Eastern Empire, Gutenburg had just
invented the moveable type, Italy was experiencing political upheaval.
(1452-1519)
3. Background
After spending time in his quaint
hometown, he left Vinci, Italy and
continued his pursuit of
knowledge in Milan, Rome,
Bolonga, Venice, and spent his
last days in France, where he
supposedly died in the arms of
King Francois I.
While Italy was experiencing
political turmoil, Da Vinci also
faced adversity and overcame the
trials which he faced. During his
life, he suffered a stroke, was
accused of being homosexual
(which the charges were
dismissed), persecuted by some,
for being left handed, and
overcame the stigma of being an
illegitimate son.
5. Art
Curious as well as observant, he constantly tried to explain what he saw.
Because he wrote down and sketched so many of his observations, we know
that he was among the very first to take a scientific approach towards
understanding how our world works and how we see it
6. War machines from the armored car, firearm with screw elevating gear, machine
for stormaing walls, hoist for lifting cannons, eight barreled organ, automatic
igniting device, hull rammer, giant cross bow, ballista for hurling stones, scythed
chariot, split-trail gun carriage, and many more.
Flying machines such as the aerial screw, device for testing beating wings, flying
ship, articulated wing, parachute, anemometer, flapping-wing machine with
vertical bearing, wing structure, inclinometer, wing-beating device with a screw
and lead screw system, leaf spring engine for flying machine.
Due to his highly inquisitive nature, Leonardo began hundreds of projects to learn
about the world around him. His projects were ranging from painting to war machine
invention, but never brought many of his projects to completion. Most of his
scientific theories and inventions never made it past the notebook stage. However,
the ingenuity of his ideas are still being used today.
Machines
7. More machines
Work machines-Self propelled car, pillar lifting machine, pile driver, drilling
machine, revolving crane, machine for threading screws, machine for making
mirrors, machine for making ropes, winged spindle, distiller with continuous
cooling system, pulleys, mechanical drum, odometer, gold foraging hammer,
fan, rollers for friction studies, machine for digging trenches, and more
Water and Land machines- sluice gate hatch, lagoon dredge, paddle boat,
webbed glove, drop-bottom float, floats for walking on water, fast-
construction bridge, boat with paddle wheels, diving bell, bilge pump,
device for measuring water turning to steam, double hull, auto-feed
hydraulic saw, mobile-ram boat (assault battleship).
8. Science
Leonardo Da Vinci had a strong curiosity and refused to believe what his
observations could not prove. For example, through his studies of fossils,
he refuted ideas such as the Great Flood from the biblical era of Noah
who built the ark.
By his studies refuting the flood, Leonardo also predicted the 20th
century idea of plate tectonics by considering the possibility of uplift in
mountain building.
It was even suggested that Leonardo conceptualized an idea of evolution,
which was not formally researched and published by Charles Darwin until
1859... more than 300 years later!!!
9. Science
Among the many things that Leonardo Da
Vinci accomplished, the facets of his life that
may be the most interesting to healthcare
workers would be his advances in science,
especially anatomy and physiology.
Leonardo Da Vinci was way ahead of his time
when it comes to observing and documenting
physiological processes and details of anatomy.
His analytical mind did not have to deal with the
frailty of the human tendency to be squeamish
when it came to dissecting plants and animals,
even humans!
Through his dissections, he gained
understanding of the respiratory system,
skeletal and muscle tissues, brain anatomy, and
digestive and reproductive systems. He
advanced human knowledge and understanding
to a new level never before comprehended
before that age of Renaissance..
10. Anatomy
The detail with which Leonardo Da Vinci observed, recorded, drew,
documented his medical findings set an example for researchers and
medical practitioners for centuries to come.
The zealousness with which Leonardo Da Vinci searched for answers
set an example for all of the world.
11. Why he’s a genius
A genius, according to wikipedia.com, is a person with great intelligence, who
shows an exceptional natural capacity of intellect, especially as shown in creative
and original work. Geniuses always show strong individuality and imagination, and
are not only intelligent, but unique and innovative.
Leonardo gained his intimate knowledge of the world despite lacking a formal
education and despite facing seemingly insurmountable odds. His work is not
only creative and original, but revolutionary.
Mozart Einstein
Leonardo Da Vinci
12. Why he’s a genius
My personal beliefs on what makes him a genius is the old
saying “There is a fine line between genius and insanity.” The
fact that he is so good at everything he does, makes him
exceptionally smart. His idiosyncrasies (the left-handed mirror
script, the manic search for knowledge and understanding, the
myriads of unfinished projects), his originality, his
breakthrough, almost futuristic thinking is what sets him apart.
Mirror script
The adoration of the Magi-
another unfinished work of
Leonardo Da Vinci
Unfinished Da Vinci
painting of St Jerome
13. Da Vinci, the
humanitarian
Leonardo Da Vinci is the
perfect embodiment of the
survey of humanities.
He expressed his scientific
observations flawlessly, with
his phenomenal artistic talent.
One is able to witness the
fondness he has in his heart
for art, for beauty, for life...
just by looking at the eyes in
the subjects of his paintings.
His painted subjects always
have a softness... a glow about
their eyes, a gentleness that
only a humanitarian could
understand.
14. Leonardo
today in
humanities
His studies in science, math, architecture, botany, even
war machines were art to Leonardo Da Vinci. The
amount of passion he had for his work is evident, by the
scrupulous detail he put forth, and by the beauty that is
expressed in his inventions, his notes, and his paintings.
