Chapters 7 and 8 Summary

Chapter Seven begins with a philosophical essay about the various methods of overcoming depression, spoken by the statesman Agnolo Pandolfini and written by Leon Battista Alberti the architect and philosopher. According to this treatise, the most effective tactic is to fantasize about the construction of machines powerful enough to erect fantastic structures. This machine would rid builders of the problem of transporting heavy loads of building materials above the ground and into position with accuracy. Filippo designs and builds a hoist that becomes one of the most exciting machines of the Renaissance.

At the time of the 1418 competition, the Opera del Duomo also requests models of machines for lifting the heavy supplies required for building the dome, but none are adequate. One of Filippo's first acts as capomaestro is to design a hoist powered by two oxen. This design is accepted...