What measurement did Leonardo da Vinci’s anemometer aim to record?

Leonardo da Vinci’s anemometer aimed to record wind speed.

An anemometer is an instrument used to measure the movement of air. Leonardo’s design used a plate that could be pushed upward by the wind, with markings intended to indicate the wind’s strength. This made the device useful for his investigations into flight and atmospheric motion.

Leonardo did not invent the modern cup anemometer, which appeared centuries later. His instrument was an early attempt to turn wind pressure into a readable measurement. The design reflects his habit of combining observation, mechanical drawing, and practical experimentation.

The device is sometimes confused with a wind vane. A wind vane shows direction, while an anemometer measures wind speed or wind force. Leonardo’s version belonged to the second category, even though it was much simpler than instruments used by meteorologists today.