Man & the machine: 'Da Vinci Machines' set to open at National Museum of Nuclear Science & History

Jan. 24—Leonardo da Vinci was ahead of his time.

Centuries later, today's society is influenced by many of his ideas.

The traveling show, "Da Vinci Machines, The Exhibition," will open at the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History on Saturday, Jan. 27. The exhibit will run through May 16.

"Visitors can explore the power of creative genius and the process of invention through this remarkable exhibit," says Jennifer Hayden, president and CEO of the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History. "The exhibit is perfect for all ages and is especially intriguing for those interested in engineering and problem-solving."

"Da Vinci Machines, The Exhibition" celebrates the creativity, ingenuity and incredible feats of engineering of the celebrated thinker of the Renaissance, Leonardo da Vinci.

Featuring thought-provoking and interactive displays of da Vinci's famous designs, the exhibit was built by the internationally-acclaimed Artisans of Florence.

Each machine was handcrafted using the materials of the time and features informative panels that include images of the original da Vinci designs.

The traveling exhibit is an interactive experience with full-size machines constructed after an in-depth study of da Vinci's designs by a group of skilled craftsmen.

It includes several machines such as the tank, the spring-powered car, the hang glider and the air screw (a precursor to the helicopter), informative panels including images of the original da Vinci designs, and children's activities such as building a parachute and airscrew.

Also featured are high-quality canvases of da Vinci's most famous artworks, including the "Mona Lisa," "Vitruvian Man," "The Last Supper" and "The Annunciation."

This exhibition presents models grouped in themes: War machines, flying machines, nautical and hydraulic machines, as well as devices illustrating the principles of mechanics.

The interactive machines are a popular aspect of each exhibition, as visitors can touch and handle the models to gain a firsthand appreciation of how they work. Explanatory notes and illustrative panels with da Vinci's drawings accompany each model.

Bernadette Robin, museum spokeswoman, says the da Vinci exhibit fits in with the museum's mission.

"Leonardo da Vinci was so forward-thinking," Robin says. "He was born in the 1400s and his appeal is still relevant today. He's a perfect example of STEAM. He is science, technology, engineering, arts and math."