As an apprentice in the studio of the artist Verrocchio, Leonardo observed and used a variety of machines. By studying them he gained practical knowledge about their design and structure. Each one makes work easier to do by providing some trade-off between the force applied and the distance over which the force is applied. Simple Machines A machine is a tool used to make work easier. Simple machines are simple tools used to make work easier.
Compound machines have two or more simple machines working together to make work easier.
The inclined plane is a plane surface set at an angle, other than a right angle, against a horizontal surface. The inclined plane permits one to overcome a large resistance by applying a relatively small force through a longer distance than the load is to be raised. The wedge is the active twin of the inclined plane. It does useful work by moving. In contrast, the inclined plane always remains stationary.