Leonardo and the design of machines

Abstract

Leonardo’s machine designs are an extraordinary testimony to the technologies developed during the Renaissance. Leonardo’s Codices contain a repertoire of machines of all types and for different uses. Many of these projects are shown by Leonardo with extreme attention to details and a sophisticated level of technical representation. Leonardo also analytically dissects the individual mechanical elements to recompose them in the design of complex machines. Leonardo studied the individual elements of a machine and their functions with an analytical and systematic approach. The mechanical parts will then be recomposed for the design of its more complex devices such as automata.