Leonardo: The First Scientist by Michael White, Little, Brown, £20,
ISBN 0316648469
HIS genius as a painter is beyond question. Leonardo da Vinci is also admired
for his many designs for machines. While these might not have worked, they
nevertheless show his insight into the principles of mechanics—remember
the human-powered helicopter with a helicoidal rotor?
Now Michael White is claiming that Leonardo was also the first scientist.
Only 3 out of White’s 12 chapters are, in fact, about this claim and Leonardo’s
supposed contributions to science. The rest is nevertheless highly interesting,
presenting Leonardo as the illegitimate son of…
