The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-01-16
wings Of THIS /.
A|RCRAF 7 FLAP
Rational Museum Builds Plane
Modelled on Bird Theory OF
Leonardo da Vinci.

\ A model of a wing-flapping type
Iof aircraft, operated by hand and
feet, and known in aeronautics as
the "ornithopter" type, has been con-
structed in the department of arts
and industries at the National
Museum, Tenth and B streets north
west, from notes and memoranda
left by Leonardo da Vinci, the
famous painter of "Mona Lisa" and
The Last Supper" who died in
Italy in 1919.
THEORY FROM BIRDS.
That da Vinci had the idea OF an
aeroplane being possibility from
his study OF birds Is indicated from
the fact that he dealt on this theory
! IN his Treatise on Bird Flight" and
other voluminous notes which were
uncovered in an Italian monastery
twenty years ago. IL was from his
book and notes that c. w. Mltman,
curator OF the arts and Industries d.
vision OF the National Museum. had
the model constructed by Paul Il,
CARRIER, an employe OF the institution.
1t is believed doubtful that da Vinci
Iever had constructed model or the
aircraft he wrote about. Curator
Mitman said today II would have been
necessary for a man OF enormous
strength to have operated an aero
plane such as conceived by da Vinci.
However, Mitmsn added that he did
not doubt ia Vinci was the first man
who had the practical theory that
such a thing as an airplane was
possibility.
MODEL DESCRIBED.
The model. as constructed at the
museum from da Vincfs book and
notes, consists of a wood beam upon
which the operator would have 10
lie, stomach down, with ring hold
ing him in place. His feet would
project into two stirrups attached to
ropes, which would flap the wings
The operators head would fit into
yoke and his arms would have to be
outstretched to grasp other ropes also
designed to move the wings. 1t was
this tapping of wings. such as is done
by birds, which caused da Ninci TO
believe man power could operate
machine of the type he Intended to
invent.
1t is Curator Mitman's opinion
that da Vinci got the idea of air
craft from watching birds and that
he believed that his machine could
be operated by himself as he was
man of great strength-by Hopping
the "bat-wings." 1t would be neces-
sary for the operator to drop from
= high platform after the fashion
Of a parachute drop.
The reason that the model was
constructed from da Vincfs papers
was because Curator Mitman ne
lieyes the plane is theoretically cor
rect in design and could be flown
II man was found strong enough
10 operate It. or course. Curator
Nitman said, a man could not fly
The machine for any considerable
length of time. The craft can be
constructed mechanically light, there
being little weight to it other than
rhe wood beam and wings.
MODEL FIRST OF SERIES.
Discovery of da Vincis notes was
made about 90 years ago. They had
been lost to the world since 1912
when the famous painter died. the
construction of the da Vinci model
ia the first of series OF twenty
progressive designs of airplancs TO
be made at the museum.
The da Winch aircraft plans call Tor
n beam of Is feet and total wing :
spread of 80 feet over all. tn" model
is Just one-quarter the original size
of the plane.
1t is believed Professor Samuel +.
Langley, one of the first scientists 10
construct a successful flying plane
got some of his ideas from the papers
left by the famous painter