Da vinci's impact upon the technology world
Ornithopter Flying Machine
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Armored Car
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Giant Crossbow
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Before the Renaissance, during the medieval ages, human understandings in many fields were very lacking, one of these fields being machine technology, whether for everyday use or reserved for certain events. Although not known to many people, many of the current technologies that are now known to humans, evolved from an initial idea or design crafted by Leonardo, and many of these devices played a significant role in past events, such as important wars, and even today are heavy influencers on current events and actions of countries. Some of Leonardo’s greatest contributions include the parachute, 33-barelled organ, and scuba gear. It is evident that Leonardo da Vinci’s designs and contributions, being so carefully and accurately done, were years before their time.
the parachute
Though Sebastien Lenormand first constructed the first parachute, few know that Da Vinci was actually the first to come up with the initial idea. The sketch design was discovered in more recent years, along with some of his other sketches. Never tested by Da Vinci himself, some were skeptic of it due to its untraditional design from the design humans now know to work because Da Vinci’s parachute had a triangular canopy, instead of the typical rounded type. He also incorporated a wood frame that would hold the linen covering, causing many to think that the parachute would be too heavy. But his parachute actually proved to work when a daredevil tested it in the year 2000.
33-BARRELED ORGAN
The 33-barelled organ was the basis of the modern machine gun. Da Vinci felt that a great problem with the cannon was its speed limitation. Leonardo thought up a solution to this problem by designing a machine which was essentially several cannons attached together and controlled by several large wheels. The basic idea of this mechanism was that as one cannon would go off, another could follow, allowing the former cannon to cool off, ultimately ending the limitation put by time.
SCUBA GEAR
Leonardo originally designed his scuba gear as war attire, more specifically to use during sneak attacks on enemy ships from underwater. Made from leather, the suit contained an airbag that acted as a mask which was connected to two tubes that led to a manual air pump on the surface. The suit not only worked, it also contained valve-operated balloons that could be deflated or inflated, depending on if the diver wanted to float or sink. Though the initial scuba suit was very rough, it did work, with limitations, and ultimately led to the scuba equipment we have today.
