The Mechanics of Infinite Power

The entire text on this page is written in Leonardo da Vinci’s characteristic mirror script, running from right to left.

But if you want this
wheel to perform its
motion in the same
time, and for it
to turn once...

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This method is the same

This is another
variation of this
same purpose original: "uoluntà"; here implying the intended function or design goal
which produces the same
effect as the one
above, and so
can this one
below, as you see...

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a b
If you wanted this
wheel to be...
which turns once
for every turn
that its endless screw endless screw (vite perpetua): a worm gear, which allows for high torque and significant gear reduction
makes...

I say that if the wheel
and its endless screw
are designed according to the
desire for this
specific power...

to design a motion
which has so much force
that it is enough
to overcome...
because every time
its toothed wheel toothed wheel: a gear with teeth that mesh with the threads of the endless screw.
seeks to overcome...
the weight of 10,000 pounds...
with a force of only
one pound...

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If one had to move a wheel with a counterweight that possessed such force that motion could not be achieved without very great resistance—and wanting this motion to be slow and of great force—you shall do as is shown here below...

wanting to produce motion with a counterweight that is of such force...
that motion could not be achieved...
without very great resistance...
you shall do as is shown here below...

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10,000 per 1,000
1,000 per 100
100 per 10
10 per 1

These ratios demonstrate the mechanical advantage of Leonardo's gearing system, where a single unit of force can move a load ten times its weight at each stage of the gear train.