Leonardo da Vinci's Genius on Exhibit in Sacramento

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. October 14, 2008

SACRAMENTO, CA, April 9, 2007. Artist, architect, designer, engineer, philosopher, scientist - and inventor: Leonardo da Vinci is the archetypal Renaissance man. For the first time in Northern California, more than 60 of his remarkable inventions are on display at the Aerospace Museum of California in Sacramento. The Da Vinci Experience exhibit will run from April 20 to August 19, 2007.

Perhaps because of his insatiable curiosity, perhaps because he could never seem to harness his mind to concentrate on one topic until he completely mastered it, perhaps because of his overpowering need for perfection, he kept seeing ways to improve on the performance of objects in common use during his lifetime in the 15th and 16th centuries, as well as foreseeing the potential for inventions that seemed a fantasy at the time.

Many of the exhibit's designs are interactive so that both children and adults can understand precisely how many of the groundbreaking machines accomplish their work.

Visitors to the exhibit will get a chance to see prototypes for the first bicycle, the first car, the first double-hulled boat, the first hang glider, the first helicopter, the first jack, the first life preserver and the first parachute, among an array of many others. In addition, there is a theater showing a short film about Leonardo da Vinci, a gallery housing replicas of many of his paintings, interactive computer kiosks and a gift shop.

The Da Vinci exhibit is open 10am - 5pm Monday-Saturday, 12pm - 5pm Sunday, with tickets permitting timed entry in 30-minute increments. Ticket prices range from $8.95-17.95. For adults: $17.95 and $11.95 for seniors (65+) and students (7-17.) Active duty military and their immediate families are $8.95. Children under 6 are admitted free; families (2 adults, and up to 3 children) are $56. Group rates (20 or more) on request through the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau: www.discovergold.org/davinci or by calling (916) 808-7304. Tickets are available at www.tickets.com or by calling (800) 225-2277. Tickets are also available at museum (capacity permitting.) Prices include admission to new Aerospace Museum. For more information visit: www.davinciexperience.info .

The Aerospace Museum of California is located at 3200 Freedom Park Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95652. For more information call (916) 643-3192 or visit their website at www.aerospacemuseumofcalifornia.org.

For more information on attractions and events in Sacramento, visit www.discovergold.org.

Transportation Gallery

The Bicycle: This is one of the many mysteries still surrounding Leonardo's life and work. The drawing was found in one of Leonardo's notebooks between two glued-in pages. Visitors are invited to take photos standing behind the bicycle. (see bicycle image)

Military Gallery

Scorpion: The Scorpion was designed to slash the sails of opposing ships. Its revolving platform would permit it to maneuver and drop the large scythe where it could do the most damage. (see scorpion image)

Transportation Gallery

Helicopter: In this concept, Leonardo envisioned a pilot standing upright in the airship. To control the machine during flight, the pilot was to use his hands, feet and head. Due to the size and weight of the device with a pilot aboard, Leonardo decided to utilize two crossing pairs of what we now think of as rotor blades. (see helicopter image)

Mechanical Gallery

Large Pulleys: Here Leonardo demonstrates the effect of pulleys on the movement of weighty objects. As a result, Leonardo could demonstrate the tradeoff between speed and effort. This display is a representation of the type of interactive displays families can participate in when visiting the exhibit. (see large pulleys image)

Florentine Palazzo Hallway

A selection of reproductions of Leonardo's paintings will be on display including the Mona Lisa, the Last Supper and Lady with an Ermine. (see Florentine Palazzo Hallway image)