Leonardo da Vinci designed an anemometer for studying airflow and wind strength.
His instrument used a plate that moved in response to the wind. A graduated scale could indicate how far the plate was displaced, giving the observer a way to compare wind conditions.
Leonardo’s interest in wind measurement grew from his investigations of flight, bird wings, and air resistance. Reliable observations of airflow could help him evaluate flying-machine designs and understand how moving air affects surfaces.
The device was not the rotating cup anemometer commonly seen today. It was an early pressure-style design, and its historical importance lies in applying measurement to aerodynamics rather than relying only on observation.