Leonardo da Vinci's notes reveal he understood wood charring benefits before the Japanese. Research published in Zenodo suggests Leonardo described the protective qualities of charred wood over a century before the Japanese codified Yakisugi. Yakisugi is a Japanese architectural technique that chars wood to protect it.

The Japanese Yakisugi method was formally documented in the 17th and 18th centuries. Leonardo's notes, predating this, highlight his understanding of the process. These notes are part of his extensive codices.

This discovery could reshape our understanding of historical building practices. Experts are re-evaluating Leonardo's notebooks for further insights. The findings may influence modern bioarchitecture.

Leonardo da Vinci was a prolific inventor and thinker of the Renaissance. He produced over 13,000 pages of notes. These notes covered diverse fields, from engineering to art.

Researchers will continue to analyze Leonardo's codices. They hope to uncover more of his forward-thinking ideas. This could lead to new perspectives on historical technologies.