Model for a Self-propelled Cart based on a drawing by Leonardo da Vinci

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Model for a Self-propelled Cart based on a drawing by Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519), Italian artist and polymath; Codex Atlanticus, folio 812 v. Considered the forerunner to the modern automobile, in a note referring to this model, Leonardo da Vinci defines the cart as man's most important invention; This model of a Self-propelled Cart demonstrates the implementation of his knowledge of the most complicated self-propelling mechanisms for theatrical events. The cart would be operated by a manual loading system with leaf springs, which through a series of complicated cog-wheels would transmit the stored power to the drive wheels. The independent drives were connected both to the wheels and a device that differentiated the speed, while a shaft, also with a wheel, served to steer the cart in the right direction.

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Size: 6433px × 3260px
Location:
Photo credit: © World History Archive / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: -construction, -propelled, archival, archive, artist, atlanticus, automobile, based, car, cart, codex, da, drawing, engineering, historical, history, inclinometer, italian, leonardo, model, polymath, reconstruction, transport, vinci