Printing Press
Gutenberg's press didn't just spread books — it made the Reformation and the Scientific Revolution possible. Every gear and mechanism illustrated.
English Language
Each page is human-drawn
THE CODEX: INVENTIONS OF THE HUMAN MIND
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The Codex is a 350-page illustrated encyclopedia of inventions and inventors, created by Ukrainian artists in a Da Vinci-inspired medieval style. Each page unveils the ideas, mechanisms, and processes that shaped our civilization.
THE CODEX: INVENTIONS OF THE HUMAN MIND
Sale price€102,95
Regular price€163,95
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THE CODEX: INVENTIONS OF THE HUMAN MIND
Sale price€102,95
Regular price€163,95
Tax excluded. Worldwide shipping, free of charge.
12,500+
Copies Delivered in 50 countries
2024
Funded on Kickstarter
5.0 ★★★★★
55+ verified reviews
Inside the Codex
The illustrated history of the inventions that built the modern world
328+ pages, 900+ hand-drawn illustrations, premium slipcase edition, created by Ukrainian artists
In the tradition of Leonardo da Vinci's notebooks — each spread shows not just what was invented, but how it actually worked. The mechanisms. The consequences. The chain of ideas that made the next invention possible. And all of that illustrated by hand with short historical explanations.
✓ Verified Buyer
5.0 ★★★★ ★
"This is the anti-Temu purchase of the year. The Codex is a massive, heirloom-quality masterpiece that feels like stumbling upon Leonardo da Vinci's private journals. If you want a coffee table book that actually makes people put down their phones, this is it."
Chris H.United States
Six eras. 150+ inventions. One history.
This is not a list of dates. It is a chain of consequences.
IEarly Stages
Fire. The wheel. Writing. Agriculture. Textiles. The inventions that gave the ancient world its foundations.
IIAncient Period
Archimedes and his machines of war. Aqueducts. Baths. Catapults. Early sanitation. The compass. The systems and tools that turned settlements into civilizations.
IIIMiddle Ages
Gutenberg’s press. Leonardo da Vinci’s flying machines, siege engines, and anatomical studies. The crossbow. The caravelle. Not a dark age, but an inventive one.
IVIndustrial Revolution
James Watt and the steam engine. Nikola Tesla and alternating current. Alexander Graham Bell. The locomotive. The telegraph. Roughly 120 years that changed everything.
VModernity
Albert Einstein. Marie Skłodowska-Curie. Alexander Fleming. The airplane. The transistor. The internet. The 20th century not as a calendar, but as a cascade.
VIThe Future
Artificial intelligence. Gene editing. Robotics. Space habitation. Treated with the same historical seriousness as the wheel, because in 200 years, it will be.
The Masters
Great minds featured in The Codex
In The Codex, we feature some of history’s most remarkable thinkers, inventors, and pioneers whose work shaped science, technology, and civilization:
Avicenna, Leonardo da Vinci, Isaac Newton, Nikola Tesla, Albert Einstein, and more.
In The Codex, we’ve highlighted some of history's most influential inventors, each of whom changed our understanding of the world:
- Archimedes – an ancient Greek mathematician and engineer known for his principle of buoyancy and innovations in mechanics.
- Avicenna – Persian polymath whose medical texts were foundational in early medicine.
- Leonardo da Vinci – Renaissance genius who sketched inventions far ahead of his time, from flying machines to hydraulic pumps.
- Nicolaus Copernicus – the astronomer who proposed a heliocentric model of our solar system, transforming astronomy.
- Isaac Newton – English physicist who formulated the laws of motion and universal gravitation.
- Thomas Edison – American inventor who brought us the electric light bulb and phonograph.
- Nikola Tesla – a pioneer in electrical engineering, known for his work on alternating current (AC) power.
- Albert Einstein – a physicist famous for his theory of relativity, changing our understanding of time and space
- Marie Curie - the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, revolutionizing science with her discoveries in radioactivity and paving the way for modern medical advancements.
- ... and many others!
I was impressed with "The Codex". It has far exceeded my expectations. This is truly the best book in its genre I have ever encountered. My husband and I received it last week and were immediately captivated. We absolutely love everything about it—the content, the illustrations, and the wonderful sense of humor. You've done an amazing job, and we honestly couldn't believe how fantastic it is.
- Created by Ukrainian artists during wartime
- Illustrated in a Da Vinci-inspired medieval style
- Explore the inventions that changed history
- Filled with deep historical insight and fascinating rare facts
- Perfect for lovers of history, art, and technology
- Delivered in a gift box with a protective slipcase
Created for meaningful family time
Explore The Codex together
Designed for meaningful moments with family, The Codex helps children and adults discover the history of inventions and the brilliant minds behind them. Its hand-drawn illustrations make complex ideas easier to understand and more enjoyable to explore together.
"I backed the original Kickstarter for myself — however my 7-year-old son has ended up liking the book as well. We look at all the illustrations and name them all together."
What arrives
Everything included in the box
- Foil-stamped hardcover, 14 × 10 in. (25 × 35 cm), larger than A4
- Protective collector’s slipcase included
- Silver-gilded page edges
- 328+ pages on 160gsm archival uncoated paper
- Large-format book with 900+ hand-drawn illustrations
- Arrives gift-ready
Created in Ukraine during wartime
12 Ukrainian artists. Funded on Kickstarter in 2024.
Rebel Thinkers was founded by three friends from Ukraine, Vlad Khvyshchuk, Nazar Ozhho, and Danylo Ozhho, united by a love of history, art, and beautifully made books.
In early 2024, the team was deep into the creation of The Codex when heavy russian strikes hit civilian infrastructure across Ukraine. The 12 illustrators, support specialist, and co-founders, working across Kyiv, Lviv, and smaller cities, faced a difficult choice: stop the project or keep going.
They kept going.
Some relocated. Some lost electricity for days at a time and continued working by candlelight and natural light. In the end, the project raised $508,241 from 5,327 backers on Kickstarter.
Every page in this book exists because they chose to keep creating, even in wartime.
★★★★★
It is one of the few books I would like my grandchildren to inherit as an ageless classic. A clear display of Ukrainian craftsmanship and entrepreneurship that I hope continues to inspire future generations.
Ben G.✓ Verified Buyer
★★★★★
I would have rated it 6 out of 5 — but I'm limited to 5. Absolutely stunning. The book, the content, and the packaging are all incredible. From the moment you open the box to the first turn of a page.
Alec P.✓ Verified Buyer
Perfect gift
The Codex arrives gift-ready
A meaningful gift for curious minds, design lovers, and anyone who values beautiful books. Crafted to surprise, impress, and be kept for years.
The illustrated history of everything that made the modern world.
Two previous editions sold out.
Free 3-8 Days ShippingArrives Gift-Ready30-day Returns5.0 ★★★★★ from 55 verified reviews
Get your Codex →FAQ
Is it genuinely informative, or mainly decorative?
Both by design, but informative first. The illustrations are created to help explain how each invention worked, not just to look beautiful. You can spend five minutes with a single spread or read the book from cover to cover.
What age is it suitable for?
It is made primarily for adults, but many parents find that their children enjoy exploring it with them as well. Best for curious readers of all ages.
Is this a limited edition?
Yes. The Codex has sold out twice. The current print run is available now. Previous editions sold out without warning.
How long does delivery take?
EU: 3 to 8 business days
USA and Canada: 1 to 7 business days
Rest of world: 8 to 15 business days
All orders are fully tracked.
Is it really hand-drawn?
Yes. Every final illustration was created by one of 12 Ukrainian artists. No stock imagery and no AI-generated final artwork.
How are you using AI?
Only for brainstorming and early-stage sketch exploration. Every final illustration in the book is hand-drawn, and the finished creative work is entirely human.