Leonardo da Vinci studied friction for more than 20 years, incorporating his empirical understanding into models for several mechanical systems. He holds a unique position as a pioneer in tribology.
— Professor Ian Hutchings
The first systematic study of friction dates back more than 500 years to Leonardo da Vinci. That much has been known for some time, but Professor Hutchings has now identified the notes and sketches in which Leonardo first recorded the laws of friction, and has shown that he went on to apply them repeatedly to various mechanical problems for more than 20 years.
Based on a detailed study of Leonardo da Vinci’s notebooks, Professor Hutchings' research examines the development of Leonardo's understanding of the laws of friction and their application.
His work on friction originated in studies of the rotational resistance of axles and the mechanics of screw threads, but he also saw how friction was involved in many other applications.
He pursued the topic for more than 20 years, trying to use his knowledge in models for different mechanical systems. Well-known diagrams which have been assumed to represent his experimental apparatus are misleading, but his work was undoubtedly based on experiments, probably with lubricated contacts. Although his work had no influence on the development of the subject over the succeeding centuries, Leonardo da Vinci holds a unique position as a pioneer in tribology.
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Image: Sketches dating from 1506-8 showing attempts to analyse the friction on a cylinder supported in a half-bearing (from the Codex Atlanticus folio 261r, Biblioteca Ambrosiana, Milan)
Reproduced courtesy of University of Cambridge, Department of Engineering
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