Ornithopters are not the most common means of human-created flight, those places of honor are taken by airplanes and helicopters. However, they are, perhaps, the oldest. Humans have been watching birds fly, and wishing to imitate them, for millenniums. Leonardo da Vinci designed mechanisms for human flight based off the flight of birds around 1490, and the first ornithopter capable of flight was built in France in the 1870s.

This ornithopter is a small toy bird that is capable of flight. Through interactions with the ornithopter children will expirence the wonder of flight first hand. They will be able to hold a flying object, and watch as the wings give lift to the bird. As each ornithopter is carefully crafted in the exact likeness of a real species of bird, children using it will be drawn from the mechanical bird in their hands to the real birds surrounding them. The ornithopter raises questions about flight, birds, and the ecosystem they fly through.

To play with the Ornithopter, simply twist the tab at the base of the bird. As this is done, a rubber band will twist, winding up the wings. When the Ornithopter is wound, let go and toss it gently into the air. Then watch, as the ornithopter flies by flapping it's wings the way a bird does.

Below is a diagram of the inner workings of the Ornithopter. Move your curser over it to see the outline of the bird casing.

Physical Principles

This toy is based on the physics of torque and lever arms. When the tab is twisted, it twists the rubber banwd creating torque. When it is released, the torque stored in the rubber band twists the pin that is connected to the rubber bands by a hook. The twist of the pin rotates the lever arms which in turn are attached to the wings. When the lever arms move in circular motion, they move the wings up and down, allowing the ornithopter to fly.

Product Information

Recommended Age: 6-14
Wingspan: 15.5 in
Length: 10 in
Weight: 10 oz
Material: injection molded plastic
Cost: $12

Although the Ornithopter is not able to withstand multiple flights into trees from close range, it is light enough and flies slowly enough that most landings should not be an issue. For similar reasons, being hit with a flying ornithopter will at most cause minor bruising to the recipient.