Leonardo da Vinci studied an ornithopter, an aircraft concept powered by flapping wings inspired by birds.
His notebooks contain several flying-machine studies based on observations of bird anatomy and flight. Some designs used a pilot’s arms or legs to operate wing mechanisms, while others explored how frames, hinges, and fabric surfaces might imitate natural movement.
An ornithopter is different from a glider, which remains airborne by using fixed wings and forward motion, and from a helicopter, which uses rotating lift surfaces. Leonardo’s flapping-wing machines were theoretical designs and were not practical powered aircraft.
His work nevertheless helped make flight a subject of systematic mechanical investigation. He examined wing structure, air resistance, balance, and the relationship between animal movement and machine design.