Brilliant Minds Neded: a Multi Barrel Illustration of 1511

[Emanuel]

Wow! Michael, the last couple of pictures in the series show what looks like water tanks for breathing underwater. Looks like extended containers with straps to tie around one's body/shoulders, with a hose to breath through. The things are shown underwater, so perhaps we're looking at the first designs for scuba-diving equipment. There are two pictures that actually show men underwater - one is holding a breathing apparatus that even has rope straps to tie around the head...he looks like he's wearing a full suit - we can see the colar around his neck. His groin doesn't look big for erotic purposes, but because this is what it would look like under a tight-fitting suit. The underwater soldier with a mace has a helmet, also looks like a full breathing apparatus...looks like he's fighting sea monsters and fish-men.

Keeping with the water theme, there are two picture of water pumps for irrigation purposes...no obvious mechanics involved, everything is hidden, pretty much like in a motor housing...interesting stuff! No schoolboy doodles here I don't think, these are brilliant for their time.


Regards,
Emanuel

[fernando]

Yes, are there copies or reprints of this work acquirable, Michael ?
Suddenly you will be responsible for the da Vinci's family having to pay copyright fees to Flavius Vegetius Renatus's heirs .
Fernando

Oh, he was a veterinarian .

[fernando]

Here, Emanuel.
Can you handle these ?

http://daten.digitale-sammlungen.de/...ges/index.html

Fernando

[fernando]

May i (again), Michael ?

Very interesting:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Publius...getius_Renatus

Fernando

[kahnjar1]

The only comment I can find to make about the latest drawings is that there must have been a good supply of a VERY strong smoking weed available at the time! My brain won't cope with trying to sort this lot out, but a most interesting insight into the medieval mind!

[Emanuel]

Many thanks Fernando! I had missed Michael's citation.

[Rick]

Originally Posted by kahnjar1

The only comment I can find to make about the latest drawings is that there must have been a good supply of a VERY strong smoking weed available at the time! My brain won't cope with trying to sort this lot out, but a most interesting insight into the medieval mind!

Considering the age; I'd look more to Ergot poisoning than 13 .

[fearn]

Thanks for the link Fernando. That makes it plain that Flavius Vegetius Renatus was not the author of these illustrations.

I have to agree with Richard. This looks like a mix of doodles and semi-practical devices. I don't think drugs were involved at all.

Just wish I knew what kind of text went with these pictures.

F

[Matchlock]

Originally Posted by fernando

Yes, are there copies or reprints of this work acquirable, Michael ?
Suddenly you will be responsible for the da Vinci's family having to pay copyright fees to Flavius Vegetius Renatus's heirs .
Fernando

Oh, he was a veterinarian .

Hi Fernando,

Believe me, I have been searching for reprints ever since I got my hands on the first original book in the Munich State Library where these scans are taken from. I could not find any reprints.

Apart from that, Vegetius' texts have been reprinted throughout the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries in numerous variations, many of which do not contain any illustrations at all. I have found only one other copy printed in Paris in 1534 or 1536 which is profusely illustrated including early firearms.

Let's be patient though. The big libraries keep scanning more and more books from their hidden treasures and publishing them on the web. Within a few years our knowledge will have been immeasurably enriched!

Best,
Michael