Pendulum Mill
The Lifelong Project of Leonardo da Vinci
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 13124944 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Lorenzo Fiorineschi (0000-0002-8458-2794, University of Florence, corresponding author), Federico Rotini (0000-0002-1676-0835, University of Florence), Roberta Barsanti |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 8 |
| Issue | 12 |
| Pages | 497-497 |
| Publication date | 2025-11-24 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Heritage (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2571-9408 • E-ISSN: 2571-9408 |
| Publisher | MDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT) |
| DOI | 10.3390/heritage8120497 |
| OpenAlex | W4416772090 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 9 |
This study investigates Leonardo da Vinci’s long-standing interest in milling technologies through the digital reconstruction of a pendulum-driven mill illustrated in the Codex Atlanticus. By tracing the chronological development of Leonardo’s ideas across multiple sheets, this research highlights the continuity and evolution of his conceptual approach to energy transmission and mechanical automation. This work adopts a systematic design methodology to interpret and visualize the structural logic of the machine, integrating historical sources with engineering reasoning. The resulting CAD model reconstructs the key components (such as the gear train, escapement system, and pendulum) within a coherent architectural framework inspired by Leonardo’s sketches. While the digital model remains a preliminary interpretation, it offers a historically grounded basis for future refinements. In particular, it lays the groundwork for potential physical reconstructions intended for museum display and public engagement. This study contributes to the broader understanding of Renaissance mechanical culture and the role of digital tools in heritage preservation and dissemination
Conceptual design · Key (lock · Pendulum · The Renaissance · Work (physics · Architecture and Art History Studies · Architecture and Computational Design · Mechanics and Biomechanics Studies · Architecture
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |