ITALERI LEONARDO DA VINCI MECHANICAL DRUM
From the analysis of Leonardo’s drawings and writings it emerges that among the many activities of the genius, music played a fundamental role. Among the numerous solutions invented by Leonardo to produce sounds, one of the most fascinating is the automatic drum. In the Codex Atlanticus there are two drawings relating to this instrument: a pen sketch (f. 877r) and a definitive sanguine (f. 837r). The drum was designed for use in various circumstances, from city parades to military actions. Two large rollers transmitted the movement to the lateral rods that beat the canvas, the rhythm varied by changing the position of the pegs on the rollers. The drum could be towed by activating the movement using the wheels, or used when stationary by activating the movement using a crank.