The exhibition "Leonardo da Vinci – Mechanical Wonders" intends to show a not very explored side of Da Vinci, that of the scientist and inventor who created precursory machines such as the helicopter, the hang-glider, and the modern watch. It will exemplify through replicas of some of his projects, how his vision was revolutionary. Divided into four areas, symbolized by the four elements of nature (Wind, Water, Earth, and Fire), it presents pieces, texts, and images which justify his fame as one of the greatest geniuses of humanity.

The exhibition includes 32 pieces, including a helicopter, parachute, ornithopter, swing bridge, automatic barbeque and a military tank. The models, created by Roberto Guatelli, are made out of wood and loyally reproduce the mathematical coordinates left by the Renaissance genius.

Born in 1492, Leonardo da Vinci was one of the most notable painters in the Renaissance and possibly its greatest genius, since he was also important as an anatomist, mathematical engineer, musician, naturalist, architect, and sculptor. His scientific ideas were almost always hidden in notebooks and it was as an artist that he obtained the recognition of its contemporaries.

Da Vinci was more of an architectural theorist than a practical constructor, with his ideas and projects always showing a futuristic mind. His first attempt at urban planning included roads projected at two levels: the Ideal City. Leonardo da Vinci was also responsible for one of the first known attempts at breech loading guns. The military tank is the ancestor of the armored tank, a vehicle little used until World War I.

He dedicated a lot of time to the study of the atmosphere, as an artist and scientist. Da Vinci's helicopter, in the form of a screw, was inspired by the mechanism of a toy brought to Europe from the Far East. His parachute project, with the exception of the shape, was similar to the modern version of the parachute. Leonardo's study of multiple gears is still used nowadays in the mechanism of watches.

MAST's itinerant exhibition, "Leonardo da Vinci – Mechanical Wonders," is currently on shown in Memorial da Medicina de Pernambuco, located at Rua Amaury de Medeiros 206, Derby, in Recife (PE). It is open for visiting Monday – Saturday, 9am – 5pm, until 30 September 2014.