The Machines of Leonardo Da Vinci and Franz Reuleaux - Kinematics of Machines from the Renaissance to the 20th Century

This book examines the evolution of machine design methodology from the Renaissance to the Age of Machines in the 19th century. It provides detailed analysis, comparing design concepts of engineers of the 15th century Renaissance and the 19th century age of machines from a workshop tradition to the rational scientific discipline used today.


The book places the technical design ideas for the machines of Leonardo da Vinci and Franz Reuleaux in the historical, economic and social context of their times. It offers detailed comparisons of 20 basic machine mechanisms such as the slider crank and four-bar linkages in both Leonardo’s drawings and Reuleaux’s models are made. The book argues that the development of a rational design methodology for machines that grew from the time of Leonardo to the early 20th century was as great a feat as the invention of the machines themselves.