Please join us for an RASBJ presentation about important inventions that were transferred between Europe and China, including their myths, mysteries and reality. Prof. Plinio Innocenzi explains why the architectural marvel of Florence’s famous Duomo — Filippo Brunelleschi’s dome — was a technological breakthrough, never attempted before nor created ever again. Brunelleschi built machines to construct the dome which profoundly influenced later technologies, reaching beyond the field of architecture. Such designs — some of which were brought to China by Jesuits — were categorized centuries later as Chinese inventions. Other innovations were indeed Chinese breakthroughs. And quite a few mysteries remain about inventions that appeared in both China and Europe without any documented exchange. Prof. Innocenzi will present case studies of machines used by Brullelleschi as well other discoveries –  paddle boats, the magic square, paper, mechanical clocks, hydraulic devices – which offer a view differing from Joseph Needham’s perspective.  Veteran foreign correspondent Laura Daverio will moderate the event.