Inventions of the Renaissance
Opens march 31st
The newest exhibit at the National Historic Museum of History in St. Peter Minnesota is the Inventions of the Renaissance.
The exhibit has inventions from famous inventors like Leonardo da Vinci, Johannes Gutenberg, and even inventors who are a little less famous like Sir John Harrington, an English courier that invented the very first flush toilet, and Martin Behaim who invented the very first globe.
Contact info.
Phone Number: 507-867-5309
Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci was a great inventor that was before his time. He had many great ideas that have lead to inventions that are still used today. His first invention in our exhibit is the Aerial Screw, he sketched his idea for the Aerial Screw in his notebook in the 15th century. The next invention is the Parachute, He also sketched the picture in the 15th century. This was the first time a parachute showed up in history. The final da Vinci invention is scuba gear, Leonardo da Vinci had the idea for scuba gear while in Venice in the 15th century. He thought that they could use it to sneak up on the enemy underwater.
Johannes Gutenberg
Johannes Gutenberg was not as creative as Leonardo da Vinci but he did invent something that changed the world, the printing press. Gutenberg first constructed the machine around 1440 and it took the world by storm. Johannes Gutenberg is even credited with printing the first book ever, the Bible.
Sir John Harington
Sir John Harrington is one of the lesser known inventors but he is an important one. He was the godson of Queen Elizabeth I and was exiled to Kelston for telling risque stories. While exiled he built a house and in that house he constructed the very first flush toilet.
How the toilet worked
Harrington's toilet had a pan with an opening at the bottom, sealed with a leather valve. A series of levers and weights opened the valve and poured water in from a cistern when the handle was moved.
Martin Behaim
Martin Behaim invented the very first terrestrial globe in 1492. it was not completely accurate and didn't even have America on it since Christopher Columbus didn't arrive back until at least 1493.
The Erdapfel
The globes real name was the Erdapfel, which means "Earth Apple" in German. It is made of a laminated ball cut in two halves, supported by wood and overlaid with a map painted by Georg Glockendon.