Mini Ornithopter - Flying has always been a dream of humans and Leonardo’s fascination with birds and flight was evident in the many studies of birds in flight and human powered flying machines.
It remains a mystery if Leonardo’s Ornithopter designs were ever made and tested, but we have made a fun model that you can make flap and ponder da Vinci’s inquisiosity into human powered flight.
Learn about how levers work and place it on the shelf once done to inspire you to soar to great heights of drawing and invention. Leonardo was the consummate STEM leader of his time!
Dimensions: 17 x 20 x 21 cm
Mini Aerial Screw - The Aerial Screw is one of da Vinci’s most iconic images. This model has a nice canopy and spins when you turn the handles above on the mast above the base. A great kit for the shelf to remind you of the ingenuity of Leonardo, and inspire you to do great things!
Dimensions: 11 x 11 x 13 cm
Mini Catapult - Leonardo da Vinci drew so many images of catapults it is hard to comprehend (and some were very strange!). Most used the power stored in bent wood as the main driver of the projectiles, along with slings to increase the power.
This model has a piece of bamboo that will bend and with that power – will launch the little projectiles from 2 to 3 metres – awesome!
Re-live those whimsical Renaissance catapult days with a fun little catapult that shows the basics of catapult technology, and learn about how leverage and centripetal and centrifugal forces work together to make the perfect launch! This is whimsy taken to new levels!
Dimensions: 18 x 6 x 9 cm
Mini Crossbow - the Giant Crossbow is one of Leonardo’s most epic weapons, and his image of it with a person on top reloading it is incredible. Interestingly it did not launch spears like many smaller hand-held crossbows, but would have launched large rock balls, capable of crashing through walls or knocking down warriors in battle.
Like many of da Vinci’s designs, we don’t know if this was ever made, and it was speculated that the drawing of this enormous machine was used by Leonardo to impress the Dukes of the time to hire him as a military engineer, as it would have certainly impressed them with its "bigness"!
This easy to make mini-Giant Crossbow (yes we get the joke there) uses elastic technology (you should look that up) to launch a small projectile from 2 to 3 metres.
Strike fear in the heart of your ancient warrior Lego people that are lined up conveniently on a shelf, and take control of that important territory!
Dimensions: 15 x 9 x 5 cm
Suitable for ages 8+
