Project:
Giovanni Canestrini, 1953
Realizzation:
Roberto Guatelli,1953
Model from:
Leonardo da Vinci, Codice Atlantico, f. 812r
Wood, wrought iron
cm 88 x 104,5 x 184
Description:
Made in 1952, by Roberto Guatelli to a design by Giovanni Canestrini, this self-propelled cart documents one of the oldest interpretations of the drawing of Leonardo’s which until recently was considered the forerunner of the motor car.
The cart has quite a complex driving mechanism consisting of two large leaf springs situated in the front portion, which houses a manually-operated steering shaft connected to a wheel. These springs, loaded manually by a pincer-like device, would have transferred their stored energy to the driving wheels as they unwound, thus making the car move forwards.