As far back as 1495, Italian polymath Leonardo da Vinci drew up detailed plans for a mechanical knight based on the structure of the human body. With the aid of a pulley, the knight was able to sit down, stand up, raise its visor and move its chin, neck and arms. In 2002, robotics specialist Mark Rosheim took da Vinci’s knight as his template and developed a prototype that could speak and wave. Later, these drafts served as the inspiration for robots which he would build for NASA

It's fascinating how da Vinci's visionary designs continue to influence modern technology. His understanding of mechanics was truly ahead of his time, paving the way for innovations in robotics that are still relevant today.