Codex Leicester

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The Codex Leicester is a collection of largely scientific writings by Leonardo da Vinci. It is named after Thomas Coke, later the 1st Earl of Leicester, who purchased it in 1717. Leonardo da Vinci was a prolific artist, scientist, and more. From his 30 scientific journals, this one might be the most famous of all.

The Codex provides a rare insight into the inquiring mind of the definitive Renaissance artist, scientist and thinker as well as an exceptional illustration of the link between art and science and the creativity of the scientific process.

The manuscript does not take the form of a single linear script, but is rather a mixture of Leonardo's observations and theories on astronomy, the properties of water, rocks and fossils, air and celestial light. The topics addressed include:

an explanation of why fossils can be found on mountains. Hundreds of years before plate tectonics became accepted scientific theory, Leonardo believed that mountains had previously formed sea beds, and were gradually lifted until they formed mountains.
the movement of water. This is the main topic of the Codex. Among other things, Leonardo wrote about the flow of water in rivers, and how it is affected by different obstacles put in its way. From his observations he made recommendations about bridge construction and erosion.
the luminosity of the moon. Leonardo speculated that the moon's surface is covered by water which reflects light from the sun, and explains that the crescent moon comes from sunlight reflected off Earth. Waves on the water's surface cause the light to be reflected in many directions, explaining why the moon is not as bright as the sun. Leonardo da Vinci had explained planetshine one hundred years before the German astronomer, Johannes Kepler, proved it.

Physically, the Codex takes the form of 18 sheets of paper, each folded in half and written on both sides, forming the complete 72-page document. At one time the sheets were bound together, but they are now displayed separately. It was handwritten in Italian by Leonardo, using his characteristic mirror writing, and supported by copious drawings and diagrams.

The Codex was purchased in 1980 by wealthy industrialist, art collector and philanthropist Armand Hammer from the Leicester estate, and renamed the "Codex Hammer". In 1994 Bill Gates bought it at auction for $30.8 million and renamed it the Codex Leicester. The Codex is put on public display once a year in a different city around the world. In 2004 it was exhibited in the Château de Chambord, and in 2005 in Tokyo. One page was exhibited at the Seattle Museum of Flight's 2006 exhibit "Leonardo da Vinci: Man, Inventor, Genius." From June to July 2007, the codex will be the centerpiece of a two month exhibition hosted by the Chester Beatty Library in Dublin, Ireland.