The desire to fly had lingered in the minds of engineers and inventors even before the 15th century, yet it was Leonardo da Vinci who revolutionised the exploration of this dream through a rigorous scientific lens.
Leonardo’s approach involved an in-depth analysis of the flight patterns of birds and bats, coupled with a detailed study of their anatomy. His conviction was rooted in the belief that replicating the movement of these airborne creatures through machinery could transform the long-standing dream of flight into a tangible reality.
However, as his investigations progressed, Leonardo confronted the harsh reality that humans, endowed with less than a quarter of a bird’s muscle strength in the arms and chest, could not achieve flight through direct imitation. This realisation prompted a shift in focus towards flight without wing movement, leading him to study wind velocity and explore methods of utilising air currents to attain significant altitudes.
Leonardo’s visionary ideas laid the groundwork for the myriad of flying machines that define modern aeronautics – from gliders and aeroplanes to helicopters and parachutes. His foresight transcended the boundaries of his time, echoing into the present era of aviation.
Leonardo once said: There shall be wings! If the accomplishment be not for me, ‘tis for some other.