Leonardo da Vinci wasn’t just a brilliant artist—he was an inventor, scientist, and visionary far ahead of his time. His genius spanned multiple disciplines, and his life was filled with quirky habits and fascinating achievements. Here are some fun and unusual facts about da Vinci:

Left-Handed Genius
Leonardo da Vinci was left-handed, which was uncommon and even discouraged during his time. But he didn’t let that stop him—he wrote his notes backward in mirror script, from right to left. Some believe this was a way to keep his ideas secret, but it’s likely he did it because it was more comfortable for him as a lefty.

Vegetarian Before It Was Cool
Long before vegetarianism became a trend, da Vinci was an advocate for animal rights and reportedly a vegetarian. He loved animals and would buy caged birds just to set them free. His compassion for living creatures is said to have influenced his scientific studies on anatomy and nature.

The Unfinished Master
Though da Vinci is known for masterpieces like the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper, he was infamous for not finishing many of his works. His curiosity often led him to start new projects before completing old ones, leaving behind a legacy of unfinished paintings and inventions. His restless mind was always jumping from one brilliant idea to the next.

Inventor of Flying Machines
Da Vinci was obsessed with the idea of human flight. He sketched numerous designs for flying machines, including a helicopter-like contraption and an early version of a parachute. While none of these inventions were built in his lifetime, his drawings were strikingly ahead of his time and foreshadowed modern aeronautics.

The Mona Lisa’s Smile—A Mystery Solved?
One of the most famous mysteries of the Mona Lisa is her enigmatic smile. Some believe that da Vinci used a clever technique called sfumato—the blending of colors and shades to create soft transitions—to give her an elusive, almost changing expression. What’s even more interesting is that da Vinci may have studied the muscles of the face to understand how to paint such subtle emotions.

Da Vinci the Scientist
Leonardo’s notebooks are filled with detailed scientific observations. He dissected human bodies (something that wasn’t widely accepted at the time) to understand anatomy, and he made detailed drawings of muscles, bones, and organs. His sketches of the human body were so accurate that they could have served as medical diagrams!

Renaissance Party Planner
Da Vinci wasn’t just a painter and inventor—he also had a flair for party planning! He designed elaborate stage sets and special effects for royal events. Some of his designs included mechanical lions that could walk and open their mouths to reveal lilies inside.