It can be said that Leonardo Da Vinci was a man who thought well ahead of his time. With his numerous inventions, he had been able to create many firsts. Not just an artist known for his technique called sfumato, Da Vinci designed several contraptions – some of which are still used today!
Ball bearing – Although it does not seem all that impressive, a lot of today’s modern machines make use of Da Vinci’s ball bearing. It allows the smooth movement of drive shafts, factory ramps, and most other mechanical devices that require movement and transition. This invention reduces the friction between two different moving surfaces and helps make machines more efficient.
Parachute – This one is pretty self-explanatory. Simple as it seems, the parachute allows an individual to fall from great heights with a slow momentum—allowing for safe landing. Parachutes increase a falling body’s resistance and since Da Vinci was also interested in human flight, he had come up with the parachute to break the fall of a person.
Machine gun – Though not in the modern sense of being a machine gun, Da Vinci invented the first weapon which can fire volleys at rapid intervals. It is more popularly known as the triple-barreled canon which would have been a deadly weapon for armies in the field. It was a portable, fast, and light weapon with a lot of firepower. The machine had 11 guns which could all be fired at once
Diving gear – Da Vinci had entertained the idea of being able to repel and intercept invading ships. His thought was to send actual men underwater to damage the hulls of the ships! It was far-fetched and tedious to actually carry out, but this thought had inspired the creation of today’s modern diving suits and scuba gear. A practical point from Da Vinci’s creation was how the divers would have to carry a bottle which they can use to urinate in—allowing them to stay underwater for indefinite periods of time!
Revolving bridge – Because he had written how he hated wars battle weapons had been a specialty of Da Vinci and used his inventions to support his household. Da Vinci devised his own way for a quick getaway when things get nasty while surrounded by a body of water. The bridge is made up of lightweight materials and had a rope-and-pulley mechanism which would allow armies to move quickly away from danger.
The above are just some of the many useful inventions that have made Da Vinci one of the most timeless inventors in history!