This biography is the story of Leonardo da Vinci as a scientist, for his extraordinary vision concerning scientific ideas created an impact that is felt in the world today. Many of Leonardo's ideas were in advance of his own time; they include a flying machine, a tank, a rapid-firing gun, and a parabolic compass. Leonardo's invention of an irrigation system can be said to be the start of the study of hydraulics, and his ideas concerning optics, engineering, and architecture were also extremely advanced.

Leonardo came close to becoming the "all-around" Renaissance man. Trained as an artist, he not only achieved recognition as one of the greatest painters the world has ever known, he was equally successful as a poet, an engineer, an anatomist and a scientist in general.

Although the mention of Leonardo's name is likely to bring to mind his Last Supper and Mona Lisa, it was the freshness and inventiveness of his scientific mind that most greatly enhances his legacy to mankind.