Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci, otherwise known as Leonardo da Vinci, was the exemplification of a polymath. Even though he was best known as an inventor and scientist, his expertise spanned several subjects including painting, sculpting, architecture, music, mathematics, engineering, literature, anatomy, geology, astronomy, botany, writing, history, and cartography. Given the profound impact of this work, many describe the Italian renaissance genius as being one of the greatest ever. 

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Most of Leonardo’s life was shrouded in mystery, although his innovations and inventions are documented in at least 7,000 pages of notes, some of which remained hidden for centuries after his death. Interestingly, even though he lived in Italy, Leonardo couldn't speak Latin very well and was unable to converse effectively with other scientists. But his discoveries, from the Mona Lisa to human anatomy and the concept of a parachute to his engineering drawings that inspired today’s helicopters, he remains one of the most prolific humans that ever lived.