A precursor of the modern day helicopter, the Aerial Screw
designed by Leonardo da Vinci was designed to compress air in
order to obtain flight. Now you can build this model straight
from da Vinci's musings and marvel at how ahead of his time he
truly was. Snap together assembly, no glue required. Recommended
ages 8 and up. Made of plastic, the assembled model measures
approx. 5" H and 7" W. Leonardo da Vinci first sketched the
predecessor to the modern helicopter in the late 15th century.
Dubbed the “aerial screw,” this simple machine was designed to
compress air to obtain flight through its unique shape. When
originally designed, da Vinci’s helicopter measured more than 15
feet in diameter and was made from reed, linen and wire. The
four men depicted on this model represent the original four men
in the sketches who stood on a central platform, turning cranks
to rotate the shaft. However, due to weight constraints, this
model would never have been able to take flight. A true
Renaissance man, da Vinci was eve