1-156-702 - Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images

Sketch of a perpetual motion device designed by Leonardo da Vinci, c1472-1519. Da Vinci's (1452-1519) scientific drawings featured ideas such as a spinning wheel and a flying machine. He dissected human bodies (which he used to produce accurate anatomical drawings), studied the properties of light and water and worked in Milan as an inspector of fortifications, and later in Florence as a military engineer.