Leonardo da Vinci designed an armored fighting vehicle commonly described as an early tank.
His vehicle was a covered, conical structure with sloping armor intended to deflect attacks. It was shown with multiple small cannons arranged around the platform, allowing the crew to fire in several directions while remaining protected.
The vehicle was supposed to move using human-powered cranks connected to wheels. Modern reconstructions have noted that the surviving drawing appears to contain a mechanical problem: some interpretations say the gears would make the wheels turn in opposite directions. Whether this was an error or deliberate concealment remains debated.
Leonardo’s vehicle was not a modern tank in the technical sense. It had no engine, and there is no evidence that it was built or used in battle. Its importance lies in combining armor, mobility, and all-around firepower in one concept.