Rotating central-fulcrum crane for the cathedral lantern

Designed by Filippo Brunelleschi, but put into use only after his death in 1446, this crane was used for the construction works for the lantern of the Florence Cathedral’s dome. The machine was mounted on a circular, rotating platform and positioned at the center of the eye of the dome, that is, inside the perimeter upon which the walls of the lantern were to be erected. As the walling gradually mounted in height, the platform was raised by means of screws. In order to lift and horizontally shift the marble blocks, the crane made use of an arm that could swivel 360°, with a system composed of two endless screws, driven by two wooden disks acting as screw bolts. A second version of this crane was also developed, reproduced in 1:2 scale, which can be viewed in the Hall of the Podesta in the Castle of the Counts Guidi.