Da Vinci Dropped Iron Balls from the Tower of Pisa

Aristotle's hypothesis that items of different weights would fall at drastically different rates was widely accepted in the ancient world. According to legend, Da Vinci walked to the top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa and dropped two objects—each more heavier than the other—to show his students and the surrounding audience his alternative idea. One of the most dramatic scientific demonstrations in history disproved Aristotle when both items touched down simultaneously. Unfortunately, there is no reason to think that the story is even remotely accurate, despite the fact that it is undoubtedly fantastical and intriguing.

When making his case, Da Vinci did suggest a thought experiment along these lines to his students, but aside from the inflated claims of one student, there is no proof that he ever made the effort to conduct anything of the sort. Da Vinci may not have conducted the experiment personally, but there is evidence to suggest that the researchers Simon Stevin and John Philloponus tested a variation of the notion hundreds of years before Da Vinci himself came up with the idea.

However, the story about the Leaning Tower of Pisa was probably nothing more than the embellishment of a star-struck student who went on to become his unofficial biographer. This does not diminish Da Vinci or his genius—his ideas and creations were still revolutionary.