Ends of the Earth: From Polar Bears to Penguins
October 20, 2007 - March 2, 2008
Henderson Events Plaza, 200 Water Street
Open Daily, with the exception of Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day
Sunday - Thursday 9am - 6pm
Friday - Saturday 10am - 8pm
Exclusive Southern Nevada exhibit showcasing more than 60 precise and interactive replicas developed by Leonardo da Vinci.
Exhibit Highlights
Three Viewing Galleries: Transportation, Military, Mechanical
- Transportation Highlights:
- Air Screw (precursor of the helicopter)
- Hang Gliders (different types)
- Bicycle (notice the chain used to transport energy)
- Spring-Powered Car
- Double-Hull Boat (structured so if outer hull was damaged by cannon, inner hull would hold boat’s operational values)
- Military Highlights:
- Moveable Bridge
- Portable Bridge
- Reaping Wagon
- Mechanical Highlights:
- Pulleys (most popular interactive machine)
- Water Screw (used to draw water from a well)
- Cam Hummer
- Fly Wheel
- Chamber of Mirrors
- Copies of Leonardo da Vinci’s original drawings on display so visitors can compare the drawings and the replica.
- Samples of the codices which are written backwards in Tuscan. There were no patent or copyright laws, so Leonardo wrote in code and omitted some details.
- A visitor favorite - hands on interactivity with some of the machines.
- 25 interactive exhibits
- 11 Full-Sized Machines
- Many exhibits demonstrated by docents.
- Exhibit begins with a seven minute award-winning introductory film setting da Vinci’s life into context of historical times and concludes with video of da Vinci’s ideal city.
- Reproductions of Leonardo da Vinci’s most popular paintings: Mona Lisa, the Virgin of the Rocks and the Last Supper are on display in a full-sized replica of a Tuscan Palazzo.
History of Replica Machines on Display
Original machines were built on commission by a Florence family in the 1950s from a recently discovered codice. The Artisans of Florence purchased copies of codices and then set about building the replicas from the materials specified in the codices. If the dimensions were listed on the codices, then they built full-scale replicas. If the dimensions were not listed, they built models. These machines come from the Museum of the History of Science in Florence, Italy.
Admission Prices:
Adult - $17
Student - $12
Military - $12
Family Rate - $55 for Family of 5
Children 6 and under free
Groups (10 or more) - $11 each
School Groups (10 or more) - $9 each
Teachers: Download Delving into Da Vinci, a Teacher Guide to The Da Vinci Experience.
Tickets on Sale Soon!
For additional details on the exhibit, please call 702.267.2171.