Leonardo da Vinci designed an ornithopter, a flying machine intended to fly by flapping wings modeled on those of birds.
Leonardo studied birds, bats, and the mechanics of flight in detail. His notebooks contain several ornithopter concepts, including machines with large wings operated by a pilot’s arms, legs, or body weight. He understood that human muscle power would probably be insufficient for a full-sized, practical version.
An ornithopter is not the same as a helicopter or an airplane. Its defining feature is flapping wings that generate lift and thrust, rather than rotating blades or fixed wings. Leonardo’s designs remained theoretical and were never successfully flown.
His flight studies also included gliding devices and a parachute. These inventions show how Leonardo combined anatomical observation with mechanical engineering, even though powered human flight would not be achieved until centuries later.