Leonardo da Vinci inventions to be featured in Mannheim exhibition

An upcoming exhibition at the Reiss-Engelhorn-Museen in Mannheim, scheduled to open on October 11, 2026, will showcase the inventions and scientific studies of Leonardo da Vinci. Students from Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences have constructed precise models of his designs in a specialized “Da Vinci Manufaktur” to be used as interactive exhibits.

Leonardo’s work spanned various disciplines, including art, engineering, and anatomy. His studies on bird flight, particularly the thermal flight paths of black kites observed near Florence, were documented in his Codex Atlanticus. These sketches demonstrated an early scientific understanding of how birds use wind currents to gain altitude with minimal wing flapping.

Other highlighted inventions include his pyramid-shaped parachute design, which has been proven functional through modern recreations, as well as concepts for elevators and rapid-construction bridges. The exhibition aims to make these Renaissance ideas tangible by allowing visitors to experience the models firsthand.