Leonardo’s Perpetual Motion Machines

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around Leonardo da Vinci's designs for perpetual motion machines, exploring their historical context, artistic value, and the implications of their failure to function as intended. Participants reflect on the significance of these machines in relation to concepts of motion and physics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that while the machines do not work perpetually, they find them aesthetically appealing.
  • One participant points out that the website selling the machines does not claim they function, presenting them instead as art pieces.
  • A participant references Leonardo's notation regarding the impossibility of perpetual motion, linking it to Newton's Third Law of Motion and expressing curiosity about earlier records of this principle.
  • Another participant draws a parallel between the discussion of perpetual motion and Zeno's paradox, suggesting a philosophical angle to the topic.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the machines do not work perpetually, but there is no consensus on the implications of Leonardo's writings or the historical context of Newton's laws.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions regarding the historical attribution of the principles of motion and the extent of Leonardo's understanding compared to later scientists.

dkotschessaa
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Obviously they don't work, perpetually, but they're really cool anyway:

http://www.leonardodavincisinventions.com/mechanical-inventions/leonardo-perpetual-motion-machine/

perpetual-motion-leonardo-da-vinci-3a-300x225.jpg
 
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Ban and lock in 3, 2, 1...
 
FYI, the site makes no claims for the machines to work, and simply sells them as art pieces.
 
Borek said:
Ban and lock in 3, 2, 1...
0.5, 0.25, 0.125, wait for it, wait for it...
 
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Leonardo decided against investigating perpetual motion any further after he wrote (in mirror writing) beside the designs – “for every action there is an opposite and equal reaction” (the machines will not work). That quote is also Isaac Newtons Third Law of Motion, 200 years before Newton was born!
Now, this is very interesting. Newton ascribed the discovery of the third law to his contemporaries in the Royal Society. He wasn't aware anyone had realized it or voiced it before them. That being the case, it is intriguing to see Leonardo had written it down as far back as the Renaissance. I am now curious to know if there's any record of it before Leonardo anywhere.
 
berkeman said:
0.5, 0.25, 0.125, wait for it, wait for it...
The very first thing that came to mind upon seeing this was Zeno's paradox. I wonder what sort of person this makes me...
 

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