Leonardo da Vinci designed an anemometer, an instrument for measuring wind force or speed.
His design used a flat plate that wind could push upward. The height reached by the plate could then be read against a graduated scale, providing an indication of wind strength. Leonardo developed the instrument while studying air movement and the requirements of flight.
Anemometers are important in meteorology, aviation, engineering, and wind-energy assessment. Modern versions commonly use rotating cups, propellers, or ultrasonic sensors rather than Leonardo’s lifting plate. The underlying purpose remains the same: converting moving air into a measurable reading.
Leonardo’s device should not be confused with a barometer, which measures atmospheric pressure, or a wind vane, which shows direction. His work on wind measurement formed part of a wider investigation of birds, air currents, resistance, and flying machines.