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526 Years On, Da Vinci's Clockwork Car Constructed

Posted by timothy on from the bright-fella dept.

SimianOverlord writes "The Guardian (and several other news outlets) report on the attempt by Professor Paulo Galluci and his team to build a working model of Leonard Da Vinci's clockwork powered car, designed in 1478. Previous attempts have been made to create the vehicle, but they failed to work properly. This is thought to be due to a misunderstanding of the original design, which is corrected in the new model. Apart from the 1/3 scale replica, the team have also made a full size model but have not dared to test it. Professor Galluzzi explained "It is a very powerful machine. It could run into something and do serious damage.""

10 of 402 comments (clear)

  1. fascinating by msim · · Score: 5, Funny

    It's taken them long enough to figure it out.

    I guess that 2 things can be learned from this
    1) Da Vinci was a genius ahead of his own time
    2) Document your frigging drawings! were not all mind readers ya know!

    --

    Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know when your gonna get food poisoning.
    1. Re:fascinating by natrius · · Score: 5, Funny

      The fact that his drawings weren't commented is what tipped us off to his genius in the first place. Everyone knows smart people don't comment.

  2. Turns only to the right? by bearl · · Score: 5, Funny

    A programmable steering mechanism allows it go straight, or turn at pre-set angles. But only to the right.

    To the right? That's of no use! Reprogram that sucker to turn left and send it to NASCAR.

  3. Clockwork Car? by haRDon · · Score: 5, Funny

    I wonder if it'll get you to work on time?

  4. It can only turn right... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I guess DaVinci agrees that we should be Left Hand Drive...

  5. Not on the road? by dankney · · Score: 5, Funny
    "It is a very powerful machine. It could run into something and do serious damage."

    And the SUV that nearly killed me this morning isn't?

    The real reason it isn't on the road is government regulation. There needs to be a 10-year rigorous testing project to make sure it meets federal emmission standards.

  6. I can't wait... by lewko · · Score: 5, Funny

    Until homeless bums jump in front of your clockwork car at traffic lights, start cranking and then demand five bucks...

    --
    Do you or your partner snore? - Visit www.snoring.com.au
  7. that's nothing... by physicsphairy · · Score: 5, Funny

    I will soon complete a modern version of Da Vinci's nuclear breeder reactor as soon as I can find a wood cog that decelerates neutron emissions.

    --
    When things get complex, multiply by the complex conjugate.
  8. The secret has been revieled by geekoid · · Score: 5, Funny

    1) Make obscure drawings the kind of look like what you are thinkging of
    2) Don't document, allow other to figure it out
    3)Profit!

    wait, that would be management.

    --
    The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
  9. Re:Is it just me... by TummyX · · Score: 5, Funny

    Perhaps they don't want to depreciate the value of the car by increasing the milage on the clock.