Photo: Provided by National Museum of the U.S. Air Force
Leonardo da Vinci: Machines in Motion exhibit at the National Museum Of The United States Air Force.
The largest hands-on display of replicas of Leonardo da Vinci's machines is now on view, and you won't have to go to Italy to see it.
Leonardo da Vinci: Machines in Motion is open at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, Ohio. It features 40 full-size working recreations of da Vinci's inventions from the late 15th century.
Built in Florence, Italy by Evergreen Exhibits, the special display offers hands-on experiences that provide "an engaging combination of education and entertainment," according to the museum. A group of scientists and artisans collaborated to create the replicas with the craftsmanship spirit of da Vinci's time.
Leonardo da Vinci: Machines in Motion allows visitors to examine the concepts of history, science, physics, invention and innovation through his work. The exhibit is divided into four sections. Each section explores da Vinci's inquiry and applied knowledge of the elements of nature: earth, air, water and fire.
Highlights of da Vinci's "working" examples include a revolving crane, a full-size armored tank, a robot and four different flying machines. "Other displays include the hydraulic water saw, the pillar lifter, floats for walking on water, the parachute and the machine gun," per a press release.
On display in the museum’s fourth building through May 8, Leonardo da Vinci: Machines in Motion is open to the public free of admission. As an additional bonus, the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force offers free parking.
The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force is the world's largest military aviation museum with more than "350 aerospace vehicles and missiles and thousands of artifacts amid more than 19 acres of indoor exhibit space," according to the museum.
The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force is located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, 1100 Spaatz St., Dayton. Find more information at nationalmuseum.af.
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