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  • © 2019

The Innovators Behind Leonardo

The True Story of the Scientific and Technological Renaissance

Authors:

  • Provides a frequently overlooked perspective on the work of Leonardo da Vinci as part of a collective effort that formed the foundation of the scientific and technological Renaissance
  • Includes numerous illustrations from a range of original sources to allow for easy and pleasant reading
  • Accessible to anyone with a high school-level understanding of science and technology

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Softcover Book USD 44.99
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Hardcover Book USD 44.99
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Table of contents (16 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xxix
  2. Cupolas and Machines

    • Plinio Innocenzi
    Pages 27-44
  3. Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines

    • Plinio Innocenzi
    Pages 63-91
  4. Paddle Boats, Submarines, and Other Sea Vessels

    • Plinio Innocenzi
    Pages 119-144
  5. Wind Chariots and “Automobiles”

    • Plinio Innocenzi
    Pages 145-163
  6. Perpetuum Mobile

    • Plinio Innocenzi
    Pages 165-180
  7. Homo ad Circulum

    • Plinio Innocenzi
    Pages 181-205
  8. The Divine Proportion

    • Plinio Innocenzi
    Pages 231-260
  9. The Geometry of Shapes and Unfashionable Headgear

    • Plinio Innocenzi
    Pages 261-276
  10. The Measure of Time

    • Plinio Innocenzi
    Pages 277-306
  11. Mission Impossible: Squaring the Circle

    • Plinio Innocenzi
    Pages 307-320
  12. A Lost Industrial Revolution and Leonardo’s Gun

    • Plinio Innocenzi
    Pages 321-332
  13. Beyond Leonardo

    • Plinio Innocenzi
    Pages 333-342
  14. Back Matter

    Pages 343-351

About this book

This engaging book places Leonardo da Vinci’s scientific achievements within the wider context of the rapid development that occurred during the Renaissance. It demonstrates how his contributions were not in fact born of isolated genius, but rather part of a rich period of collective advancement in science and technology, which began at least 50 years prior to his birth.

Readers will discover a very special moment in history, when creativity and imagination were changing the future—shaping our present. They will be amazed to discover how many technological inventions had already been conceived or even designed by the engineers and inventors who preceded Leonardo, such as Francesco di Giorgio and Taccola, the so-called Siena engineers. This engaging volume features a wealth of illustrations from a variety of original sources, such as manuscripts and codices, enabling the reader to see and judge for him or herself the influence that other Renaissance engineers and inventors hadon Leonardo.

Reviews

“Although a plethora of volumes about Leonardo da Vinci exists, Innocenzi’s work is unique in focusing on Leonardo’s scientific and technical treatises, drawings, and notes, placing them in context with other thinkers working during the Renaissance or before. … The accessible style and many illustrations should make Innocenzi's text attractive and useful for general readers and undergraduate students.” (A. C. Prendergast, Choice, Vol. 56 (5), January 2019)​

Authors and Affiliations

  • University of Sassari, Alghero, Italy

    Plinio Innocenzi

About the author

Plinio Innocenzi is a full professor of Materials Science and Materials Technology at the University of Sassari and has a special interest in science popularization at different levels.  He has a doctorate in physics but attended a Classic Lyceum dedicated to Humanities, Art, Latin, and Greek, which is why he has always maintained a multidisciplinary vision and developed a special passion for the connections between science and art. He has dedicated particular attention in recent years to Leonardo’s scientific work and has participated in numerous conferences and festivals on the topic. This book is the result of Prof. Innocenzi's desire to make general readers more aware of the multifaceted origins of scientific and technological knowledge.

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 34.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 44.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 44.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access