Leonardo’s Marvelous Inventions

Today on Far Future Horizons we explore the life and work of a man, who more than anyone else in history, epitomizes the Age of the Renaissance - Leonardo da Vinci.

In this episode of the History Channel’s Modern Marvels we take another close look at the technological innovations that flowed forth from Leonardo’s prodigious imagination and intellect.

Nearly 500 years after his death, Leonardo da Vinci still intrigues us. Most people think of him as a great artist, but he was also a remarkable scientist and inventor. His love of mechanics was unparalleled and he filled his notebooks with pages of incredible machines--from weapons of war to "Ships of the Skies", from submarines and scuba suits to robots and an analogue computer...even contact lenses and alarm clocks! 

Leonardo da Vinci's Flying Machine

Leonardo da Vinci's Diving Suit

How did a 15th-century man envision such modern innovations? If we follow his plans, would any of his designs work? We need wonder no more. With recent technological advances and new materials, we're the first generation able to bring Leonardo's drawings to life--to learn whether his "mechanical dreams" were workable plans. We explore the fascinating intersection of his art, science, and engineering marvels, and use them to offer insight into this "Genius of Geniuses", who remains as elusive as Mona Lisa's smile.

Leonardo da Vinci's Robot

This episode of Modern Marvels is available from Amazon.com.


Modern Marvels - Da Vinci Tech on YouTube

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