Innovation looks forward asking questions about how things could change or be re-imagined. But inspiration can come from the past. A current exhibition at the Science Museum in London, ´Leonardo da Vinci: The Mechanics of Genius displays his mechanical concepts conceived 500 years ago. These include machines for weaving, cutting, digging and flying as well as a diving suit, an armoured vehicle, and a parachute. The models on display were made in the 1950’s from Leonardo’s 500-year-old drawings.

The exhibition, which is open until 4 September, bridges a 500-year gap by bringing renaissance genius into focus and strongly reinforcing its relevance to today’s world.

Among the exhibition highlights are 14 fully animated 3D digital reconstructions of Leonardo’s inventions. These were created with 3D simulation technology and team know-how provided by Dassault Systèmes. They allow the machines to be seen in action on screens next to their physical counterparts. Since many of Leonardo’s inventions were never built, even in his own lifetime, this is the first opportunity to see the machines’ operations. The universal and compelling 21^st century language of 3D preserves, honours and celebrates Leonardo’s legacy and allows visitors to fully engage with the exhibits.

The exhibition is inspiring because it shows how at a time when written descriptions were the norm to explain mechanical innovations, Leonardo used his amazing talent and skill to explain new ideas visually. Da Vinci knew that communicating with compelling images is the key to collaborative progress.

Like Leonardo we take our ideas from nature and adapt them to our needs. Aerospace, automotive, fashion and consumer product makers often take their lead from the natural world. And in the areas of life science, chemistry and hi-tech bio- mimicry is a powerful inspirational factor. Using 3D technology today we are able to show not just how products look but also how they function as part of a system in the real world. Capturing ideas and digitally communicating them is now part of everyday life.

People find it hard to imagine the world in decades to come. There will be different ways to communicate and collaborate. Leonardo used drawings to achieve widespread cognition, understanding and acceptance of his ideas many of which are still current. This generation has digital and 3D technologies that helps us explore and realise our dreams. Using it we can, like Leonardo da Vinci, express ourselves.

In the centuries since Leonardo’s time we have developed our industrial world and now we must make it sustainable in technical, commercial and environmental terms. This generation has both the tools and the imagination to make real progress towards reaching those goals by inventing tomorrow’s solutions