Leonardo da Vinci designed an anemometer around 1488 to measure wind speed.
His design used a vertical board that moved in response to the wind. A graduated scale allowed the observer to estimate how strongly the wind was blowing by noting the board’s position. The instrument was connected to Leonardo’s investigations of flight, because wind direction and force were essential to understanding birds and designing flying machines.
An anemometer is a general term for an instrument that measures wind speed. Modern versions often use rotating cups, propellers, or ultrasonic sensors, while Leonardo’s design relied on the movement of a plate. The operating principle and construction therefore differ from most contemporary weather instruments.
Leonardo did not invent the scientific idea of observing wind, but his sketch represents an early systematic mechanical approach to wind measurement. The device is commonly dated to about 1488 and is often discussed alongside his studies of air resistance and flight.