Faust Vrancic (1551-1617) Polihistorian, lexicographer and inventor, Faust Vrancic, born in Sibenik, Croatia and studied in Venice, Italy. Was a bishop, lived for some time in Rome, and later in Venice till his death. In 1595 complied and published a five language dictionary, including Croatian. Wrote works about logic and ethics, and worked on the history of Dalmatia, lost in the manuscript form. One of his important wioks is Machinae novae (1595., 1615/16.) in which he described 49 different sketches and projects, most of which are originally his. Among many are arch bridge, tidal mill and parachute, which he himself tried jumping off towers in Italy and hungary.