The Codex Leicester is a collection of largely scientific writings by Leonardo da Vinci. It is named after Thomas Coke, later the 1st Earl of Leicester, who purchased it in 1717. Leonardo da Vinci was a prolific artist, scientist, and more. From his 30 scientific journals, this one might be the most famous of all. Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci (April 15, 1452 – May 2, 1519) was an Italian polymath: architect, anatomist, sculptor, engineer, inventor, mathematician, musician, and painter. ... Thomas Coke, 1st Earl of Leicester (1697–1759) was a wealthy English land-owner and patron of the arts. ... The Earl of Leicester was created in the 12th century as a title in the Peerage of England (title now extinct), and is currently a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom, created in 1837. ... // Events January 4 — The Netherlands, Britain & France sign Triple Alliance February 26-March 6 What is now the northeastern United States was paralyzed by a series of blizzards that buried the region. ...

The Codex provides a rare insight into the inquiring mind of the definitive Renaissance artist, scientist and thinker as well as an exceptional illustration of the link between art and science and the creativity of the scientific process. Raphael was famous for depicting illustrious figures of the Classical past with the features of his Renaissance contemporaries. ...

The manuscript does not take the form of a single linear script, but is rather a mixture of Leonardo's observations and theories on astronomy, the properties of water, rocks and fossils, air and celestial light. The topics addressed include: A giant Hubble mosaic of the Crab Nebula, a supernova remnant. ...

• an explanation of why fossils can be found on mountains. Hundreds of years before plate tectonics became accepted scientific theory, Leonardo believed that mountains had previously formed sea beds, and were gradually lifted until they formed mountains.
• the movement of water. This is the main topic of the Codex. Among other things, Leonardo wrote about the flow of water in rivers, and how it is affected by different obstacles put in its way. From his observations he made recommendations about bridge construction and erosion.
• the luminosity of the moon. Leonardo speculated that the moon's surface is covered by water which reflects light from the sun, and explains that the crescent moon comes from sunlight reflected off Earth. Waves on the water's surface cause the light to be reflected in many directions, explaining why the moon is not as bright as the sun. Leonardo da Vinci had explained planetshine one hundred years before the German astronomer, Johannes Kelper, proved it.

Physically, the Codex takes the form of 18 sheets of paper, each folded in half and written on both sides, forming the complete 72-page document. At one time the sheets were bound together, but they are now displayed separately. It was handwritten in Italian by Leonardo, using his characteristic mirror writing, and supported by copious drawings and diagrams. An ammonite fossil Eocene fossil fish of the genus Knightia Petrified wood fossil formed through permineralization. ... Bridge across the Álfagjá rift valley in southwest Iceland, the boundary of the Eurasian and North American continental tectonic plates. ... Severe soil erosion in a wheat field near Washington State University, USA. Erosion is the displacement of solids (soil, mud, rock and other particles) by the agents of wind, water or ice, by downward or down-slope movement in response to gravity or by living organisms (in the case of... Bulk composition of the Moons mantle and crust estimated, weight percent Oxygen 42. ... Saturns moon Iapetus lit by Saturnshine. ...

The Codex was purchased in 1980 by wealthy industrialist, art collector and philanthropist Armand Hammer from the Leicester estate, and renamed the "Codex Hammer". In 1994 Bill Gates bought it at auction for $30.8 million and renamed it the Codex Leicester. The Codex is put on public display once a year in a different city around the world. In 2004 it was exhibited in the Château de Chambord, and in 2005 in Tokyo. One page was exhibited at the Seattle Museum of Flight's 2006 exhibit "Leonardo da Vinci: Man, Inventor, Genius." 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday. ... Someone who practices Philanthropy. ... Dr. Armand Hammer Armand Hammer (May 21, 1898 – December 10, 1990) was an enigmatic Jewish-American industrialist and art collector. ... 1994 (MCMXCIV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by United Nations. ... This article is about the co-founder of Microsoft Corporation. ... The United States dollar is the official currency of the United States. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Château Chambord The Royal Château at Chambord, Loir-et-Cher, France, is one of the most recognizable châteaux in the world because of its very distinct French Renaissance architecture that blends traditional medieval forms with classical Italian structures. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Tokyo , literally Eastern capital)   is the capital of Japan. ... The museums Great Gallery. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• American Museum of Natural History site for 1996-1997 exhibit of the Codex
• Seattle P-I site for 1997 Seattle Art Museum exhibit of the Codex, including background info
• News report of Japan opening, September 2005
• Leonardo da Vinci : The Codex Leicester