Da Vinci’s Ornithopter

An ornithopter (from Greek ornis, ornith- “bird” and pteron “wing”) is an aircraft that flies by flapping its wings. Designers sought to imitate the flapping-wing flight of birds, bats, and insects. Though machines may differ in form, they are usually built on the same scale as flying animals. Larger, manned ornithopters have also been built and some have been successful. Manned ornithopters are generally either powered by engines or by the pilot.