Leonardo da Vinci’s armored fighting-machine sketch is commonly called a tank.
Leonardo designed a conical, covered vehicle in the late 15th century. Its sloping outer shell was intended to deflect incoming projectiles, while guns positioned around the lower edge could fire in several directions. The vehicle was to be moved by people turning internal cranks connected to wheels.
The design is often described as an early tank concept, but it was not a working modern tank. The proposed gearing has been interpreted as making the vehicle difficult or impossible to propel as drawn. Some historians have suggested that this may have been deliberate, since Leonardo prepared military designs for patrons and may not have wanted every detail to be immediately usable.
The machine is also called Leonardo’s fighting vehicle or armored vehicle. It should not be confused with his separate designs for bridges, artillery, and a multi-barrel gun.