ASM-Lehigh Valley Chapter Meeting
Members Appreciation Night and Business Meeting
Thursday, May 14, 2009
TITLE: The Technology, Casting Methods, and Scultptures of Leonardo da Vinci
SPEAKER: Peter Dent, Vice President of Business Development for the Electron Energy Corporation
ABSTRACT: In the late 15th century Leonardo da Vinci labored for 17 years to create his ultimate triumph of art and technology: a colossal 24 foot tall, 80 ton bronze Horse in tribute to the father of Duke Ludvico Sforza of Milan. Unfortunately, war intervened and bronze for the Horse was diverted to form cannon to fight the French who eventually seized the city on 10 September 1499. Gaston bowmen used Leonardo’s full size clay model as their target for archery practice which, along with the weather, destroyed what Leonardo had hoped would be his greatest legacy to art. Five hundred years later a group of Americans completed the dream of the late Charles C. Dent to build a modern tribute to Leonardo which is located in Milan, Italy. Through the donation to the Italian people of a Horse based on Leonardo’s drawings, widespread international acclaim was received.
This presentation will provide a context of times of the Italian renaissance and Leonardo’s universal genius, 15th century casting technology, and contrast this with the methods used to build Leonardo da Vinci’s Horse, which, even in modern times, posed numerous unique challenges.
BIO: Peter Dent is Vice President of Business Development for the Electron Energy Corporation (www.electronenergy.com) of Landisville, PA, a rare earth specialty magnet manufacturer serving the aerospace, military, medical devices, and energy technology markets. Peter is former President/CEO and Trustee of Leonardo da Vinci’s Horse, Inc (www.leonardoshorse.org) which merged with the Discovery Center of Science and Technology and is now called the Da Vinci Science Center. He is Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Da Vinci Science Center which opened its new 30,000 square foot, $11 million facility in October 2005 on the campus of Cedar Crest College in Allentown (www.davinci-center.org). Peter has a Bachelor’s of Science in Chemical Engineering from Lehigh University and is author of several technical papers and training courses in magnetics, cryogenics and high vacuum technologies. He has been a featured speaker in Milan and Vinci, Italy sculpture dedications, History Channel features and numerous media publications world wide related to Leonardo da Vinci’s Horse.
LOCATION: Da Vinci Science Center, Cedar Crest College, Allentown (see below for directions)
SCHEDULE:
- 5:30-6:30 Social Hour and Registration
- 6:30 Dinner
- ~7:30 Presentation from Peter Dent
Make a reservation through the LVASM website (www.lvasm.org) or by calling Keith Hill at 610-208-2929. Please note that reservations should be made no later than Monday, May 11th, 2009. If you make a reservation and cannot make the meeting, please call or email Darwin Evangelista at 610-562-6673 or darwin_evangelista@brushwellman.com before the meeting. LVASM gets charged for the cost of the meal for all no shows.
LOCATION:
Da Vinci Science Center
Cedar Crest College
3145 Hamilton Blvd
Allentown, PA 18103
Ph: (484) 664-1002
MENU CHOICES:
EXECUTIVE BUFFET
- Maple Ginger Salmon with citrus sweet potatoes
- Marinated Beef Tips in a mushroom burgundy sauce
- Baked Ziti
- Rosemary Roasted Red Bliss Potatoes
- Steamed Broccoli with butter sauce
- The buffet also includes:
- Fresh fruits, vegetables, and cheese
- Salad station with dressings
- Assorted rolls and butter
- Coffee and Tea
- Assorted Desserts
- Open bar serving wine, beer, and soft drinks (Coke, Diet Coke, and Sprite) is also included.
COST:
$25 for members and their guests
$20 for students & retired members
