[MR] Leonardo da Vinci's resume

[David Chessler]

------ Original Message ------
Received: Mon, 15 Feb 2010 10:27:15 AM EST
From: "David Wendelken" <david_wendelken at nc.rr.com>
To: <atlantia at seahorse.atlantia.sca.org>
Subject: [MR] Leonardo da Vinci's resume

> Got this in the mail from a recruiter as an example of a great resume...
> 
>
<http://cdn.theladders.net/static/images/editorial/weekly/monday/large_note0
> 21510.jpg>
> 
> "Most Illustrious Lord, Having now sufficiently considered the specimens of
> all those who proclaim themselves skilled contrivers of instruments of war,
> and that the invention and operation of the said instruments are nothing
> different from those in common use: I shall endeavor, without prejudice to
> any one else, to explain myself to your Excellency, showing your Lordship
my
> secret, and then offering them to your best pleasure and approbation to
work
> with effect at opportune moments on all those things which, in part, shall
> be briefly noted below. 
> 1.	I have a sort of extremely light and strong bridges, adapted to be
> most easily carried, and with them you may pursue, and at any time flee
from
> the enemy; and others, secure and indestructible by fire and battle, easy
> and convenient to lift and place. Also methods of burning and destroying
> those of the enemy.
> 2.	I know how, when a place is besieged, to take the water out of the
> trenches, and make endless variety of bridges, and covered ways and
ladders,
> and other machines pertaining to such expeditions.
> 3.	If, by reason of the height of the banks, or the strength of the
> place and its position, it is impossible, when besieging a place, to avail
> oneself of the plan of bombardment, I have methods for destroying every
rock
> or other fortress, even if it were founded on a rock, etc.
> 4.	Again, I have kinds of mortars; most convenient and easy to carry;
> and with these I can fling small stones almost resembling a storm; and with
> the smoke of these cause great terror to the enemy, to his great detriment
> and confusion.
> 5.	And if the fight should be at sea I have kinds of many machines most
> efficient for offense and defense; and vessels which will resist the attack
> of the largest guns and powder and fumes.
> 6.	I have means by secret and tortuous mines and ways, made without
> noise, to reach a designated spot, even if it were needed to pass under a
> trench or a river.
> 7.	I will make covered chariots, safe and unattackable, which, entering
> among the enemy with their artillery, there is no body of men so great but
> they would break them. And behind these, infantry could follow quite unhurt
> and without any hindrance.
> 8.	In case of need I will make big guns, mortars, and light ordnance of
> fine and useful forms, out of the common type.
> 9.	Where the operation of bombardment might fail, I would contrive
> catapults, mangonels, trabocchi, and other machines of marvelous efficacy
> and not in common use. And in short, according to the variety of cases, I
> can contrive various and endless means of offense and defense.
> 10.	In times of peace I believe I can give perfect satisfaction and to
> the equal of any other in architecture and the composition of buildings
> public and private; and in guiding water from one place to another.
> 11.	I can carry out sculpture in marble, bronze, or clay, and also I can
> do in painting whatever may be done, as well as any other, be he who he
may.
> Again, the bronze horse may be taken in hand, which is to be to the
immortal
> glory and eternal honor of the prince your father of happy memory, and of
> the illustrious house of Sforza. 
> 
> And if any of the above-named things seem to anyone to be impossible or not
> feasible, I am most ready to make the experiment in your park, or in
> whatever place may please your Excellency - to whom I comment myself with
> the utmost humility, etc." 
> 
> Hope you enjoy!
> 
> Andras Salamandra
> 
>  
There's a new book, apparently the first of a series, in which Leonardo is the
"detective", assisted by an apprentice painter. 

Diane A.S. Stuckart
The Queen's Gambit. 
NY: Berkeley Prime Crime, 2008

The book mostly identifies Leonardo as a painter, although he actually works
as an engineer for most of the book, and, I believe, he was better known in
his own time as a military engineer. 

Anyhow, it's pretty good.