Da Vincis Contributions to Engineering Innovation - Essay Example

Name Course Tutor Date 1. Describe the inventions created at the hand of the world’s most famous engineer Being one of the greatest inventors, Leonard da Vinci was able to come up with imaginative drawings of what may be said to have little or no effect during his time of existence. The sketches which were preserved in his precious notebooks were able to depict items that were worth being pursued for the improvement of lives in areas such as the military, flight and civil sectors. Apparently, the flying machines that he discovered include anemometer, helicopter (aerial screw) and parachute. For purposes of the aviation industry, the anemometer discovered by da Vinci eventually became useful for measuring the speed and direction of wind. This was his original idea to make a device that could give people the direction and speed of wind prior to attempting flight. Another greatest invention by da Vinci was the airscrew rather known as the helicopter; he designed the helical air screw to compress air in order to obtain flight. The parachute whose idea had been conceived years earlier was put into books through da Vinci’s innovation with exact measurements of how it was supposed to be in order to operate effectively. Apart from the air flight discoveries, other important innovations that are widely used in the modern world include the 33-barreled organ which gave conception to the idea of 33 small-calibre guns. The armoured car whose importance has been seen in modern warfare was a sole thought of this great mind. Among other notable inventions that lie in the civil and water sectors included; clock, colossus, the ideal city, robot knight, scuba gear and the revolving bridge (Stanley). 2. Why are hand drawings skills important to becoming and inventor? The power of imagination lies squarely within the ability of an artist to coordinate the eyes, hands and the mind. Although the computer drawing skills are among the most embraced modern technology, drawings as end products of an imagination conceptualize the architecture of an inventor’s thoughts in a gradual manner that is meant to improve with the process of thought. The art of hand drawing helps instil the principle of improvement into the inventor’s mind through a division of three sketching processes namely; referential sketches, preparatory studies and definitive drawing. The referential sketches help the inventor to come up with a shorthand design that is meant to describe details of what may later be a large composition. The preparatory study helps the inventor to progress further in terms of refining the referential sketch which is an emotional connection to the initial thought. This is further developed into definitive drawings which are also parametric; these are meant for final execution. They also contain very important instructions from the inventor – some sort of dialogue to the final executor (Graves). 3. Describe the old engineering story about the invention sketched on a napkin Technological revolution in the 15th century saw the invention of pencils which could in turn change the way drawings were made. This is evident from the existence of da Vinci’s manuscripts not forgetting the invention sketched on a napkin. The napkin drawings made by da Vinci are responsible for the invention of the world class robotics that have since changed the manner in which work is handled in manufacturing companies. This innovative sketch contained what has now become the most spectacular invention in the history of human being. The napkin sketch contained the ideas that were to be effected by da Vinci with the inclusion of gears, pulleys and weights. These too were effected in the discovery of other gadgets such as the clock, hydraulic power saw and air conditioners. This technology was embraced in da Vinci’s self-propelled cart which can be described as the first robot in existence. The robot knight that was sketched by da Vinci was capable of moving independently. The success story of Mark Rosheim is highly inspired by this napkin sketch which sets a ground breaking record for one of the most successful inventions in the history of robotics (Smith). 4. How did da Vinci use his artistic talent to sell ideas? Da Vinci’s elaborate scheme of physically presenting ideas through well drawn artistic features helped him propel his ideas even further due to the ability of end users to understand what exactly lingered in his thoughts. Although his artistic talent is today referred to as renaissance mystery, the drawings that date back to his time such as the last supper and the Mona Lisa still remain the most circulated drawings in history. The fact that a person could connect well with his inventions or discoveries meant more market to his ideas despite there being other innovators with the same idea. The existing sketchbooks still stun the world up to today as to how he was able to come up with accurate inventions to that extent. By being accurate in his presentations, he further propelled confidence in him thereby marketing his ideas. 5. Describe da Vinci’s contributions to engineering innovation through his hand drawings Through his anatomical drawings, he was able to come up with a fully operational drawing for the knight robot. His were the most anatomical drawings of time which not only showed his artistic genius but also his dedication to contribute positively towards the growing engineering field. Through his discoveries engineering was able to advance in areas such as hydraulics due to his discovery of the hydraulic pump. He was also able to extent his hands into the coveted aeronautical field which through his drawings was able to indicate the helicopter, parachute and other inventions such as the early bicycle. Although the renaissance people were not impressed with the inventions of da Vinci, these have now been accredited and embraced by the ever growing engineering fraternity through the hand drawings that still maintain the records that he left behind. Through his hand drawings which were then referred to as impractical, lives have been made better today as engineers actively engage in demystifying the thought process of this important inventor in history. 6. Can CAD drawings completely replace the need for hand drawings of novel ideas? According to Graves (2012), the hand drawing technique which is of course iterative imparts the creativity skill into an inventor’s mind. The hand drawing technique is considered as indispensable because of various reasons listed herein. First of all, CAD drawings are meant to look perfect while in the real sense they are not. The only approach that therefore connects the imaginative sense with the human mind when it comes to invention is the ability to network the eyes, the mind and the hands. Hand drawing actively engages human imagination and speculative thinking for the purpose of improvement something that CAD cannot do. While hand drawing provides a diversity of tools that are simulated into CAD for the purpose of software development, the human mind is able to articulate freely during the thought process thus imparting natural emotions to a drawing – something that CAD cannot achieve (Dorsey). 7. Describe how da Vinci’s hand drawings documented his imagination and creative thought The creativity that da Vinci possessed as both an artist and inventor are indicated from the diversity he presented. In other words, da Vinci was able to articulate his mind in any field ranging from geology, engineering, anatomy and mathematics among others. His hand drawings indicated extra ordinary creativity with an added intellectual capacity which none of today’s inventors can match. The fact that his drawings have been enacted to working gadgets and discoveries further indicate that his were not only vague thoughts but also accurate imaginations of what may advance the comfort of lives today. The incredible nature of his drawings and subsequent discoveries present magnificent creativity and imaginations. Works Cited Dorsey, Julie. The Architect’s Indispensable Hand. 4 September 2012. Web. 2 October 2014. Graves, Michael. Architecture and the Lost Art of Drawing. 1 September 2012. Web. 2 October 2014. Smith, Rod. The lost napkins of Leonardo Da Vinci. 29 November 2006. Web. 02 October 2014. Stanley, George E. Leonardo Da Vinci: Young Artist, Writer, and Inventor. New York: Simon and Schuster, 2005. Book. Read More