'The Self Propelled Cart' by none other than the talented Leonardo da Vinci is the oldest example of a spring driven mobile mechanism that I can find. Probably was never built, and merely existed as sketches in the Atlanticus Codex.
Recently reconstructed, it should serve as a spur to the 'steampunk' alternate history buffs.
'Reconstructed'? Probably a misnomer. Recently constructed by historians, and made part of a exhibit. To me, the main question is: what was its purpose? The design is functional, blocky, looking more like the guts of a machine. Was there more to it that was never recorded?
The reconstruction is a metre long - this is a large machine. I can't find any estimates to the length of possible run, or speed, or even, for that matter, a good blueprint.
Its interesting to note the 'springs in drums' design of the power springs...practically identical to the springdrums used today.
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