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Each Page is Human-Drawn

The Codex: Inventions of the Human Mind

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Sale price€104,95 Regular price€165,95

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The Codex is a 328+ pages 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 premium hardcover coffee table book about inventions displayed with illustrated pages
The Codex: Inventions of the Human Mind Sale price€104,95 Regular price€165,95
17,500+ Copies delivered worldwide
$1M+ Raised on Kickstarter
5.0 ★★★★★ 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

Printing Press

Printing Press

Gutenberg's press didn't just spread books — it made the Reformation and the Scientific Revolution possible. Every gear and mechanism illustrated.

Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein

Einstein changed the way we understand time, light, energy, and the universe, shaping the scientific thinking of the modern age.

Leonardo da Vinci

Leonardo da Vinci

A look into the mind of the Renaissance genius whose flying machines, parachute, and armored concepts were far ahead of his time.

Flying Devices

Flying Devices

From Leonardo’s imagined wings to the first flying machines, these inventions transformed humanity’s ancient dream of flight into reality and changed the world forever.

Sanitation Systems

Sanitation Systems

One of the most important inventions in history, sanitation transformed cities, public health, and the way people lived every day.

Camera

Camera

The camera changed how people captured memory, science, and storytelling, turning light itself into something we could keep forever.

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

★★★★★

"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 Codex content plan

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.

Illustrated portraits of great inventors and thinkers featured in The Codex: Inventions of the Human Mind, including Avicenna, Archimedes, Isaac Newton, Galileo, Albert Einstein, Nikola Tesla, and Thomas Edison

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.

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.

I.S. - United States
I.S. - United States✓ Verified Buyer · Kickstarter Backer
Video
  • 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."

Kaleb V.Australia✓ Verified Buyer
Everything included in the box

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.Spain✓ 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.Germany✓ Verified Buyer

Perfect gift

The Codex arrives gift-ready

The Codex: Inventions of the Human Mind premium hardcover coffee table book given as a birthday gift for history lovers, inventors, engineers, and curious adults

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 Returns★★★★★ 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.

€104,95€165,95

Beautifully crafted historical encyclopedia featuring detailed illustrations and comprehensive knowledge about human inventions. Customers said "the illustrations are amazing" and praised its museum-quality binding and premium materials. However, some noted small font size on dense pages and high price point. One customer reported delivery issues.

  • From the first time I held it, it felt special. Genuinely fun and fascinating.
  • A truly remarkable publication. Beautifully illustrated celebration of history and invention.
  • Fantastic. Very obvious time and care was taken. Absolutely beautiful artwork.
  • 5 stars: 534 (96%)
  • 4 stars: 15 (3%)
  • 3 stars: 6 (1%)
  • 2 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 1 star: 4 (1%)
Some of the reviews shown are from related products the merchant grouped with this one.
S
Shevchenko Vika (Austria)
The book is amazing

The book is amazing, I bought for me and for my friend, and already waiting for 3 version

A
Anonymous
I cant wait to get the two codex books cause they

I cant wait to get the two codex books cause they look really great and cant wait to have them in my book libraray

M
Massimo Usai (The Netherlands)
Quality and Quantity in one massive book!

This book is all I needed. A very informative graphic encyclopedia. Props to the makers, they did a fantastic job. Considering now ordering the Invention Codex Book.

M
Michelle McAuliffe (Ireland)
The most gorgeous book!

I was worried what state this book would arrive in but I need not have fretted. The packaging was exceptionally well done, no chance that damage could be done it was so well protected. As to the book itself and the accompanying sleeve, what can I say other than it's a work of art! Truly spectacular and worth the investment. This will enhance any bookcase.

F
Filip Radonjic (Serbia)
The Codex: Inventions of the Human Mind is very great.

It’s amazing, I give it 5 stars. The only thing that is a little disappointing is that the Codex didn’t come with the loyalty card as shown in your unboxing video on YouTube, the card that goes: “Dear Reader” other than that it’s amazing truly.

M
Miahshodan
fun, informative an whimsical.

My 16 year old son and I both love knowing all the facts about how things work, how they developed, etc.This book is great for us. It is full of facts with an easy to read format and many well done pictures. The Book is hefty. Not the kind of book you take to the beach. Carrying it anywhere and holding it up takes commitment. I read it laying on the couch with it propped on my stomach. It is huge and the cover is beautifully crafted with foil inlays, and fabric. The pages are thick faux aged paper.The whimsical part comes in how they present information. While the data is good and seems well researched there are also tongue in cheek statement and illustrations. Take for instance the pyramid in this picture with things like a screening room and chariot garage included. I like how they keep it fun.My son's complaint was that finding the new information requires sifting through a lot of data we already know. I don't see how you could get around that in a world where there are so many variations of readers.I took off one star for the price. That is a hefty sum for a new book no matter how beautiful.

A
AnnaMaria & Serge
Worth every penny.

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I received this book as a gift and absolutely love it. It’s beautifully made — high quality, large format, and very engaging to both look at and read.I’d definitely recommend it as a meaningful gift for someone you love and appreciate. It feels like one of those special, heirloom pieces you’ll enjoy for years to come. A great choice for families who value reading and want to inspire a love of books in their children.Such a memorable and valuable book — I’m really happy to have it!

M
Marcus Hoare (United Kingdom)
This book is absolutely stunning

This book is absolutely stunning.Having already received the “inventions of the human mind” book, I couldn’t wait to receive this one. Filled with beautiful illustrations on high quality paper and again filled with information. Look forward for more in the future. Both books are to be treasured for life. 😎👍

W
William Christman (Japan)
I bought both books for my 12 y/o grandson and he has devoured them! He and I have spent hours

I bought both books for my 12 y/o grandson and he has devoured them! He and I have spent hours sitting together going over the histories that are depicted, talking about how the events, technologies, and historical figures have impacted our world today. I will buy these books for my other grandson when he gets a few years older. Great books!

D
David Roberts (United Kingdom)
A fabulous book

A fabulous book, richly illustrated with compelling, beautifully drawn images and interesting and accessible text, with the whole book logically and clearly set out in chronological order.

E
Ekmatt (United States)
So freaking happy

I pre purchased this book a while age and honestly forgot it was being shipped. Boy, I was in for an awesome surprise today! This is the coolest book i own and I own a lot of books. Its damn near perfect in its presentation and I look forward to shoving this in everyone's face who comes to my place for the next good while. Cheers to everyone who worked so hard to make it happen. You did it and you did a fu****g awesome job at it.

K
KAD
Very high quality. Beautifully crafted

This is a very beautiful book. It is large - very large. The quality is exceptional. Visually, it is really stunning.Inside you'll find page after page of fun facts. The book is more of an overview, and if something is intriguing enough, you have the base info to go digging deeper. Each page is thick, and has beautiful illustrations.It is a fun book and useful in that you get a surface level education on inventions of the world throughout history - things you would not have otherwise likely known about. The book is great for kids as well as adults.The reason why I took off one star is only due to cost. The price is high enough to limit who will be able to purchase this book. It is large and of exceptional quality, so the price might be in the ball park of what it is worth. I just feel it is a bit expensive. Other than the cost, this is a beautiful and interesting book, that comes incredibly packaged and would make a wonderful and exciting gift for anyone.

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Anonymous (Germany)
A
Adam Pietraszuk (Ireland)
Beautifully Produced and Genuinely Fascinating

An exceptionally well made book that manages to be both fascinating and visually impressive. The detail, illustrations and historical insights make it easy to lose track of time while reading. It’s one of those rare books that genuinely sparks curiosity and keeps drawing you back. Very pleased with the quality and would highly recommend.

M
Marcus Hoare (United Kingdom)
Inventions of the Human Mind

This is a beautiful book, great illustrations on high quality paper and full of information. Something to treasure. I have already ordered the Military history.book also.👍

A
Anonymous (United States)
M
Matthew Wrightson (United Kingdom)
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Barry moon (United Kingdom)
Codex inventions

Lovely book and heavy not one for a bookshelf but the drawings are excellent and well done with great artwork and the artists must have spent a long time on them. A great credit to all the Ukrainian people who worked on the book and value for money.

D
Douglas Dean (Switzerland)
Informative Content. High-Quality Binding. Superb Book.

Superb book. Very well selected content that is presented in a very accessible manner, but that is still accurate and informative. The visuals are excellent, and encourage kids to browse and learn. The quality of the paper, the binding and overall presentation is top grade.