6th Annual Amateur Photography Exhibition: Through da Vinci's Eyes
Leonardo da Vinci's ideas can be seen in the world all around you - from helicopters to hang gliders. For 6th Annual Amateur Photography Exhibition: Through da Vinci?s Eyes, presented by the Museum of Photographic Arts and the museum, we want you to photograph the world of flight as if through da Vinci's eyes. Then in a few sentences explain how your photo relates to one of da Vinci's flight related designs. We look forward to seeing your da Vinci kodaks! Entry period has closed. Photos will be on display starting November 10th.
Leonardo da Vinci's Design Descriptions
United Wing circa 1480
While probably not designed for flight but to mimic the wings of angels or demons, the united wing shows Leonardo's start into the study of flight. The wing, shaped much like a bat or bird's wing, would be moved using a crank in the center. It would be covered by one continuous piece of fabric and be supported by light wood and canes.
Parachute circa 1485
Using a pyramid shape da Vinci developed a way so that a person could experience flight "...without a flap of a wing." His dimensions for the parachute were "...12 arms for face and high 12" meaning a very large parachute. He knew that it would create enough air resistance to slow the descent enough that a person could land safely. da Vinci also wrote, "He will be able to throw himself from great height without damage for him."
Ornithopter circa 1485-1487
Leonardo designed a human powered ornithopter (flying machine). A person would lie horizontal with his feet on stirrups and his hands holding onto levers in the front. The legs would be used to pull down the wings and the arms would push the wings back up.
Flapping Wing circa 1487-1490
Leonardo had to study nature in order for his ideas and designs of flight to have the possibility of lifting into the air. Bird's wings provided the perfect example for Leonardo to study. He devised a wing about 12 meters wide made of wood and covered in a mesh and net-like material. A counter weight, such as a human pushing down on a lever connected to the wing, would cause the wing to flap.
Vertical Ornithopter circa 1488-1489
Leonardo devised the vertical ornithopter to be a huge piece of machinery with the pilot in the center using his whole body to achieve flight. The circular base, which is lifted off the ground, would have a diameter of 12 meters. The wing span would measure 24 meters. Four wings would be built in pairs. The ladder to get up into the vertical ornithopter would be able to be pulled up into the ornithopter in order for flight and also getting on and off.
Aerial Screw circa 1489
Some people call this the earliest ancestor or the precursor of the helicopter. The screw would of been made of linen and wood and would measure 4.8 meters in diameter. Four men would turn the screw so that it lifts into the air just like a screw goes into wood.
Glider circa 1493-1495
The glider designed by Leonardo looked like a large wing. The pilot would be situated in the center front with his head above the glider and his body below. The pilot could control the glider with some handles, ropes, and pulleys attached to the end of the wings. Each side of the wing could move independently of the center because he split the wings on hinges to that the pilot could control the glider.
Hang Glider circa 1495
Leonardo knew that flight by human flapping power alone cannot happen. A strong wind and the proper device could put a human into the air. His designs and writings called for either a small perforated cockpit under the glider for the pilot to stand in or a kite like design that placed the pilot under the hang glider horizontally with the hang glider controlled by the ground via ropes. According to Leonardo that once built the "...instrument [hang glider] has to be placed over a mountain, to the wind, and such instrument will follow the course of the winds..." just like today's modern hang gliders.