Leonardo da Vinci studied the ornithopter, a flying machine intended to fly by flapping wings.
The word ornithopter comes from Greek roots meaning “bird” and “wing.” Leonardo examined birds and bats and produced several designs in which a human pilot would operate wings through pedals, levers, or other mechanical linkages. His notes show that he was investigating both biological flight and the mechanics needed to imitate it.
Leonardo’s ornithopter concepts were not powered flights. Human muscles cannot provide enough sustained power to lift a person with the proposed wing mechanisms, and the designs lacked a practical engine. His studies nevertheless contributed to the history of aeronautical thought by emphasizing observation, anatomy, balance, and airflow.
The ornithopter is distinct from Leonardo’s aerial screw. The aerial screw relies on rotation, whereas an ornithopter relies on repeated wingbeats. Modern ornithopters are usually small experimental aircraft or models, often powered by motors rather than human muscles.