What type of machine did Leonardo da Vinci design to measure wind speed?

Leonardo da Vinci designed an early anemometer to measure wind speed.

An anemometer is an instrument for measuring the speed of moving air. Leonardo’s design used a hinged plate or similar arrangement whose movement could indicate the force of the wind. His interest in air measurement supported his investigations of flight and atmospheric motion.

The instrument was not a modern cup or electronic anemometer. It was a mechanical indicator that linked wind force to a visible scale or movement. That made it useful for comparing conditions, even though it lacked the precision of later calibrated devices.

Leonardo’s work shows that his flight research involved measurement as well as imagination. He studied air resistance, wind, and bird movement, seeking physical principles that could guide machine design.