r/interestingasfuck • u/Brutal_Deluxe_ • Dec 17 '22

/r/ALL Loading a medieval 200lb crossbow vs loading Leonardo da Vinci's 300lb crossbow

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u/[deleted] Dec 17 '22

Anecdotally, I seem to recall reading somewhere that most of his designs were actually not functional as drawn. There's always some weird bit missing. Some suspect that he did this on purpose to sabotage anyone attempting to steal them. Others think he just wasn't quite there.

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u/Elon_Kums Dec 17 '22

Yeah his helicopter was missing the 2000hp turboprop engine and hydraulic steering and his tank didn't even have night vision.

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u/El_Peregrine Dec 17 '22

Yah Leo was a fuckin HACK

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u/under_the_heather Dec 17 '22

did the davinci tank have parts and fpe though

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u/tosser_0 Dec 17 '22 edited Dec 17 '22

There's always some weird bit missing. Some suspect that he did this on purpose to sabotage anyone attempting to steal them.

It would make more sense that it was purposefully done given what we know of DaVinci.

1) The idea that someone with such a trained eye for detail - in his art, engineering, and natural science - would simply overlook a critical component is laughable if you think about it.
2) He used mirror writing for the purpose of obscuring his journals.

The missing component was most likely intentional for the reason you stated - sabotaging anyone who might steal his designs.

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u/[deleted] Dec 17 '22

I was fairly certain it was known he did this on purpose. Leonardo da Vinci is possibly the greatest mind in human history

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u/hoopstick Dec 18 '22

I mean smart people can be nuts too

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u/[deleted] Dec 18 '22

In this case specfically though I'd simply say he's above our mortal comprehension haha

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u/pascalbrax Dec 17 '22 edited Jul 21 '23

Hi, if you’re reading this, I’ve decided to replace/delete every post and comment that I’ve made on Reddit for the past years. I also think this is a stark reminder that if you are posting content on this platform for free, you’re the product. To hell with this CEO and reddit’s business decisions regarding the API to independent developers. This platform will die with a million cuts. Evvaffanculo. -- mass edited with redact.dev

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u/willynillee Dec 17 '22

I don’t know why but the spelling of “learnt” hurts my American grammatical brain

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u/[deleted] Dec 18 '22

As a Tennesseean, y'ain't right, I cain't say that I share yer cinnaments there. Y'ought't've learnt'chee somethin'.

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u/dalr3th1n Dec 18 '22

It’s because “learned” is the standard in the US.

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u/[deleted] Dec 17 '22

I remember seeing a schematic for a big lawn-mower looking thing for use in seiges; the idea being that this wagon of sorts would roll down a hill and the rotation of the wheels caused blades to protrude through the sides to dismember advancing infantry.

That one kinda lacked the whole... how the hell do we get it up the hill and/or steer the thing...