I found Brunelleschi's design of the dome for Florence's cathedral to be a fascinating topic on scientific discovery. I also chose this topic because several years ago I watched a documentary that showed the construction of a one-fifth scale model of Brunelleschi’s dome and the possible construction methods that he may have used.
The story begins in Florence, Italy in the year 1296 when the fathers of the city had decided to build a church to “showcase the status of Florence as one of Europe’s economic and cultural capitals, grown rich on high finance and the wool and silk trades. It was later decided that the structure’s crowning glory would be the largest cupola on Earth, ensuring the church would be “more useful and beautiful, more powerful and honorable” than any other ever built, as the grandees of Florence decreed.”1
Over one hundred years later (1418) the church stood ready for its dome, and no one knew how to build it. A contest was held …show more content…
First, the dome was not a round dome, but rather an octagon.2 Second, the dome needed to be self-supporting, that is to say, it was to be an open dome with no visible supporting structure. This posed additional problems due to the fact the dome would be massive for its time, 150 feet across and began 180 feet off the ground.1 Third, the size of the dome would also call into question the types of materials uses since the weight of the dome could collapse it if it was not constructed properly.
At this time in history, the ability to construct a self-supporting dome was a scientific marvel. It reduced the cost of construction and increased safety for those using the buildings. Brunelleschi died shortly after completing the dome. He left no note or drawings on how it was constructed. Many have asked how a goldsmith would have the skills to successfully complete this type of work. The answer to that question is that he learned from the work of
The story begins in Florence, Italy in the year 1296 when the fathers of the city had decided to build a church to “showcase the status of Florence as one of Europe’s economic and cultural capitals, grown rich on high finance and the wool and silk trades. It was later decided that the structure’s crowning glory would be the largest cupola on Earth, ensuring the church would be “more useful and beautiful, more powerful and honorable” than any other ever built, as the grandees of Florence decreed.”1
Over one hundred years later (1418) the church stood ready for its dome, and no one knew how to build it. A contest was held …show more content…
First, the dome was not a round dome, but rather an octagon.2 Second, the dome needed to be self-supporting, that is to say, it was to be an open dome with no visible supporting structure. This posed additional problems due to the fact the dome would be massive for its time, 150 feet across and began 180 feet off the ground.1 Third, the size of the dome would also call into question the types of materials uses since the weight of the dome could collapse it if it was not constructed properly.
At this time in history, the ability to construct a self-supporting dome was a scientific marvel. It reduced the cost of construction and increased safety for those using the buildings. Brunelleschi died shortly after completing the dome. He left no note or drawings on how it was constructed. Many have asked how a goldsmith would have the skills to successfully complete this type of work. The answer to that question is that he learned from the work of