Leonardo Da Vinci, the ten men-in-one, was a painter, inventor, lute player, sculptor, military engineer, scientific observer, anatomist, architect, town planner, and designer, The many facets of Vinci’s genius earned him the title “Universal Man.”
This “Universal man” was the illegitimate son of a wealthy lawyer. Leonardo remained in Florence together with his father till 30, studying and working, but earing. In 1482 he was engaged by the Duke of Milan as a military engineer. He devised numerous types of equipment in this position, such as chemical smoke to armored vehicles and powerful weapons. Once, he designed a gun that was capable of producing a rain of shots.
While working as an architect in Milan, he designed streets, canals, churches, staircases, stables, brothels, central heating systems, satellite towns, etc.
In 1497 he completed his famous painting “Last Supper.”
In 1499, Leonardo was in Venice. The war with Turkey was there, and he produced many innovations to sink the Turkish fleet. But his ideas were considered too expensive to be put into use.
After returning to Florence after 1500, Venice start work on his famous painting “Mona Lisa” in 1503. After three years of hard work, it was completed in 1506. Now, this painting is on display in Louvre Museum in France.
Leonardo created many innovative designs of flying machines, both with flapping wings and rotating propellers. He gave detailed sketches of the human body, constructed a water-clock, and suggested ball bearings.
He spent the final stage of his life as the guest of King Francis I of Rome, who granted him a pension.
This great universal man passed away in 1519 at the age of 67.