An international team of historians and archaeologists led by leading paleographer Caterina di Meo Lippi, working in the vaults of the church of San Lorenzo Maggiore in Milan, have discovered a previously unknown manuscript, confirmed to be original work by Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci.

​

Famous for his technological ingenuity, da Vinci is already well known as having designed an ornithopter.  Previously unknown in modern times however, is this design for an odonathopter, considered the most significant discovery in the field of Renaissance history this century.

​

Aeronatical engineers at Saunders-Roe Limited, based at Columbine Works in East Cowes on the Isle of Wight, are already undertaking a project to develop a prototype aircraft inspired by da Vinci's design.  It is hoped that future, larger versions will eventually emerge, proving to be revolutionary in the field of search and rescue.  Based on dragonfly flight, with each of the four wings being independently controlled, the aircraft will be far more manoeuvrable than a helicopter.  The cockpit is articulated so that even when the aircraft banks severely, the pilot remains level and maintains all-round visibility.