My Trip In Italy (Part 1B): Milan - Leonardo da Vinci Science Museum

Last week, I wrote about my visit to the Biblioteca Ambrosiana. In this article, I’m sharing my experiences from my trip to the Leonardo da Vinci Science Museum. Although this museum isn’t as well-known as other landmarks in the city, it’s definitely worth visiting in my opinion.

Leonardo da Vinci Museum of Science and Technology

This museum is dedicated mainly to the legacy of the Renaissance polymath Leonardo da Vinci, a renowned artist and engineer who also had major contributions in anatomy, mathematics, literature, sculpture, architecture, etc. Inside are a lot of sections that cover different topics, including automobiles, iron processing, Leonardo’s inventions, etc.

In the central lobby of the museum, there is a huge industrial machine called the Regina Margherita Thermal Power Plant from the late 1800s. It supplied electrical power for a silk workshop, powering one thousand eight hundred looms!

When I first saw the size of this power plant, I was amazed by its sheer volume. However, I was also thinking to myself: Is this enough to drive two thousand looms? I guess the reason why I had these conflicting opinions was because these huge industrial machines are quite foreign to non-professionals like myself. That’s exactly why I very enjoyed my visit to this museum: it allowed me to experience things I couldn’t easily find elsewhere.

But the thermal power plant wasn’t the end of the industrial vibes. There was also an entire section that recreated a steel workshop (with real parts formerly used in one). This exhibit allowed me to look at machinery up-close and even touch it with my hands. Although rough to the touch, looking at how these cogs worked together, I realized that these seemingly oily and greasily parts were what enabled the ‘normal’ lives we live today, with smart electronic devices, ready-to-use kitchen appliances, countless methods of convenient transportation, etc.

There was also a section of the museum about the historical advancement of human technology with real examples from that time, and the following are some that caught my eye.

Initially after seeing Olivetti Elea, I though it was made out of colorful LEGO bricks. However, it’s actually a highly sophisticated piece of engineering while simultaneously of a marvelous design; it’s the first Italian fully-transistorized commercial mainframe computer, with an intentionally playful look that attempted to humanize Italian modernization in the post-war era.

On display are also more household items, such as black-and-white TV sets, radios, and typewriters, all made by local Italian companies from that era. This exhibit housed foreign technologies as well, like early Intel and AMD chips, the original Apple Macintosh personal computer, the first PlayStation console, etc.

The highlight of this gallery was the curved wall which housed the ‘Synoptic Panel’ of the Italian gas transportation system. Formerly housed in the Operations Room of the Snam Dispatching Centre, it was used to monitor the Italian gas transport network by representing every methane pipeline in Italy.

I really liked the car exhibition as well (which can be found on the top floor of the main building), where four classical automobiles were on display, each of them have recognizable features that defined an important point in the evolution of early automobile design in Italy.

Firstly, there’s the Bianchi 8HP, designed by Edoardo Bianchi in 1901, who was also the founder of the popular Milanese bicycle company F.I.V. Edoardo Bianchi. This car was later produced by his company (after they transitioned to car-building) in 1903, each handmade by talented artisans, though it definitely didn’t come cheap. Costing roughly 10,000 Italian lire, it corresponded to about ten years of a doctor’s salary at the time! Featuring a carriage-like design with an angled round steering wheel, it’s quite characteristic of early automobiles.

Then there’s the 1932 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Spider Zagato. It’s one of the many 8-cylinder cars developed by the well-known Italian car manufacturer between 1924 and 1940, initially for sports-oriented purposes and later for personal use and collection. This particular model is a great representation of the golden age of classical cars, with pop-up headlights similar to those found on later cars like the Lamborghini Countach, aerodynamic build, and a powerful engine nestled within its exceptionally long body.

A similar fashion can be seen on the 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Touring Berlinetta, a later version of the 2300. With a rear that resembles the Rolls Royce Sweptail, the 2900 is distinct in its polished appearance, further enhanced by its royal blue color scheme. However, what really fascinates me is the design philosophy behind classical cars, a philosophy which is sadly absent from modern ones. I couldn’t help but marvel at the elegantly curved fenders wrapping around each silvery wheel (another similarity with Rolls Royce cars), perfectly-round headlights carried over from the 2300, and the roofed cabin integrating seamlessly into the main body of the car. On the interior, there are fully-covered leather seats and dials set flawlessly into the black minimalist dashboard. Looking at the 2900, I felt that it wasn’t just any car; it embodied the beauty of early Italian automobile design.

The last car on display is by far the most unique. A one-of-a-kind race-car designed by Carlo Mollino, Mario Damonte, and Enrico Nardi specifically for the 1955 Le Mans, the Bisiluro Damolnar utilized an asymmetrical ‘twin-torpedo’ design that gave it surprisingly efficient aerodynamics and a weight of merely 450 kilograms. One pod housed the engine and transmission systems, and the other housed the driver’s seat as well as a large fuel tank. Sadly, the bright-red car was knocked off the track two hours in and was unable to complete the race.

Conclusion

That’s all for this article. Next week, I’m going to continue sharing my thoughts on the Leonardo da Vinci Science Museum, which will also cover exhibitions such as the Leonardo Galleries, rail transport, etc.

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