What can we learn from Leonardo Da Vinci's notebooks?

It is often told that creativity and innovation arise at the intersection of art and science. However, Leonardo Da Vinci viewed the world around him as one continuous boundary less canvas filled with wonder and wanted to know everything about everything. We can only try to cultivate this thirst for learning in ourselves and our children.

1. Insatiable curiosity reflected in his notebook

Leonardo's 7000 pages of notes reveal that his curiosity was not constrained by distinction among different disciplines and fields. His mind wandered across arts, music, science, math, engineering and humanities with equal ease. He made a list of things each week of all things he wished to learn or figure out.

Why is sky blue?

How does the heart function?

Why do fish swim faster in water than birds fly in air?

What are the differences in air pressure above and beneath a bird’s wing?

What is sneezing, yawning, falling sickness, spasm, paralysis, shivering with cold, sweating, fatigue, hunger, sleep, thirst, lust?

How does smile begin to form? What are the muscles and the nerves that control smile?

What the tongue of woodpecker looks like?

and many more questions.

Leonardo was never formally educated and possibly because of that he was unconstrained and never lost his childlike curiosity.

Notes to self:
a. You do not need a book or a kindle or an iPad or a school or a university to learn, you can learn a lot by studying nature.

b. Ensure children retain curiosity as they grow older.


2. Identity reflected in Leonardo's resume

Leonardo drafted a 10 points resume to the Duke of Milan. He listed his skills ranging from building bridges, military engineering, diverting rivers, construction of public buildings, sculpture in marble, bronze & clay and designing set for plays. Almost as an afterthought he writes "I can also paint".

Leonardo was at ease with who he was: illegitimate, gay, vegetarian, left-handed, easily distracted and at times heretical.

Notes to self:

a. Who he was determined what he did, world might have labelled him as a painter but as far as he was concerned, he was Leonardo and he did what he wanted to do regardless of what was expected of him.

b. You are not what you do, who you are should determine what you do, do not let degree, occupation or title limit who you can be.

Epilogue:

a. I highly recommend reading Leonardo Da Vinci by Walter Issacson.

b. Follow Guru Padmanabhan to read my posts


Image: Leonardo’s Cecilia Gallerani photographed by De Agostini

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