Working model after Leonardo da Vinci, Ms. B (IFP), fol. 74v
In his studies on mechanical flight, Leonardo sought to find optimal combinations of a multitude of elementary mechanical devices, including pulleys, cranks, toothed wheels, joints, transmission systems, high-strength axles and shock absorbers.
In this model, the wings are driven by the back pedals, which the flier operates with alternating leg motions. The effect of this thrust is amplified by the hand-operated crank, which powers a hoisting device.
As this life-size model illustrates, Leonardo's projected flying machines had little chance of success, despite their impeccable mechanical design. Their lack of viability was due to the disproportion between the force available to lift the machines (i.e. human power) and their massive weight.
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