On Saturday we were able to visit the South Carolina State Museum with my sister & brother-in-law. The museum is located in an old cotton textile mill dating back to 1893. What a great way to use such a magnificent building. The Museum was hosting a collection of Leonardo da Vinci's "Machine's in Motion". Machines designed by da Vinci were set about the exhibit for us to actually touch and set in motion. Models of his glider, olive press, printing press, bicycle & even a robot were on display for everyone to play with.
After we went through the exhibit it was time to go to the movie that originally appeared on PBS. We missed Part I, but were able to catch Part II. The basis of the movie was showing how two teams of engineers took da Vinci's designs and recreated them using his materials & methods. The first was a huge crossbow...ultimately the crossbow split before it's full power could be harnessed, but the team proved that it was possible to throw a cannon ball using it.
The second team fared somewhat better with da Vinci's glider. After some tweaks to satisfy the pilot's desire for a way to guide the glider it got off the ground & flew much like da Vinci described. All in all a good way to spend a cold day in South Carolina...who knew it could get to 15 degrees!
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