Elenco SelfPropelled Cart - Manual (Page 8)

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Da Vinci’s Design: Self-Propelled Cart
In 1478, Leonardo Da Vinci rendered a drawing of the first self-propelled cart capable
of moving without being pushed or pulled manually. His design of the three-wheeled
cart is the precursor to the modern-day automobile and one of the many inventions
that Da Vinci created dealing with locomotion and transportation.
The cart was powered by coil springs and also featured programmable steering, which
was achieved by arranging wooden blocks between gears at pre-set locations. When the
brake was released, the cart propelled forward, and steering was “programmed” to
either continue straight or turn using pre-set angles.