In Leonardo da Vinci, biographer Walter Isaacson notes that da Vinci was fond of riddles, including this one: Winged creatures will support people with their feathers. This is part of a complete episode.
Transcript of “Da Vinci Riddle”
In his biography of Leonardo da Vinci, Walter Isaacson notes that the great artist and inventor was also fond of riddles, and I’m fond of this one. The riddle is, winged creatures will support people with their feathers. Any idea what that is?
Winged creatures will support people with their feathers. Is this that people use quills to write in ink on the endorsement lines of checks that pay the salaries of employees?
I was going to say using a quill to try to make a living as a writer is maybe not so much support. But no, winged creatures will support people with their feathers.
He’s referring to feathers used to stuff mattresses.
Oh, perfect. That’s simpler. That’s better.
Yeah, I thought it was some kind of flying machine that he was inventing. But no, feathers used to stuff mattresses.
