Leonardo da Vinci was recently voted the most influential artist and inventor of the last thousand years. A man so far ahead of his time, his drawings and models predate the machines of our own age by 400 years.

Leonardo was the first to take a modern analytical approach to problem solving. The Italian Renaissance genius thought of machines as being like human bodies and dissected them down to their component parts. Though later this became common practice, at the time it was a revolutionary approach.

The initial pioneer of powered flight, Leonardo invented an array of flying machines. The Aerial Screw (a forerunner of the helicopter), a device for testing beating wings, a glider with manoeuvrable tips, a flying ship, an articulated wing and a parachute were all amongst his famous inventions.

As well as these, Leonardo also reflected other areas of life - shown in his studies of architecture, geology and botany. Proof of this remarkable insight still survives in notes and drawings - some of which are part of the Royal collection. The priceless collection, which is usually kept in a vault, away from damaging lights, went on a tour of the UK to celebrate the Queen's 2002 Golden Jubilee.

The Ornithopter flying machine, on which the modern helicopter is based, is perhaps one of Leonardo's most innovative designs.