Ancient Greek Genius Archytas Built a Flying Machine 2,400 Years Before Drones

GreekReporter ^ | February 5, 2026 | Nick Kampouris

[SunkenCiv]

So what does a 2,400-year-old wooden bird that once flew have to do with us today? The answer is more than one might expect.

The vision of Archytas fundamentally shaped our world by proving that mechanics is a creative force that could drive humanity forward. He founded the field of mathematical mechanics, bridging the gap between abstract theory and real-world applications through tangible inventions. That ancient pigeon, described by the Roman writer Aulus Gellius as being propelled by a jet of steam, was the ancestor of every modern engine, drone, and robot.

Although this may sound like an exaggeration, it truly is not. It was the first time someone demonstrated that inanimate objects could be intentionally designed to move using scientific principles. This marked a shift away from abstract theories of possibility toward practical, real-world applications—and a radical departure from a world shaped by gods, supernatural beliefs, and magic. In essence, it signaled the birth of technology as we know it—a worldview in which understanding the laws of nature empowers us to create remarkable things that can transform society. Archytas’ flying pigeon machine was, of course, not one of these, but it did lay the groundwork for everything that followed.

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TOPICS: History; Science; Travel
KEYWORDS: archytas; clickbait; fakehistory; godsgravesglyphs; greece; pythagorean; traditionnotscience; wrightbrothers

[SunkenCiv]

A digital fresco-style depiction of Archytas of Tarentum launching his steam-powered mechanical pigeon.

Credit: Greek Reporter archive

[SunkenCiv]

• First Flight in America, 1757 [06/07/2013]
• George Cayley: The Man Who Invented Flight [2/10/2026]
• In Search of the First Rocket Man [01/27/2016]
• National Aviation Day on August 19th recognizes the pioneers of human flight. [07/19/2024]
• Pioneers of Flight: Eilmer of Malmesbury [05/17/2014]

[Fledermaus]

DaVinci designed a helicopter. And a parachute.

[SkyDancer]

Too heavy.

[Disambiguator]

Little furry midgets built hang gliders out of wood and canvas and took on a galactic empire! So nothing is out of the question.

[BenLurkin]

Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines

[Carry_Okie]

Brings back memories...

[Opinionated Blowhard]

And the Romans developed a rudimentary steam engine, and the Greeks invented a “computer” and the Indians conducted “brain surgery” and yet here we are today. None of them resulted in an Industrial Revolution. Why? Because it took a revolution in thinking to go with the technology so that the technology could be applied and its effects multiplied to benefit humanity. Without the thinking that resulted in Capitalism, the Roman steam engine was just good for opening temple doors.

[marktwain]

Without the thinking that resulted in Capitalism, the Roman steam engine was just good for opening temple doors.

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There is truth in your comment. However, there is also the slow accumulation of technology in metallurgy, practical chemistry before the understanding of elements and molecules, the ability to record measurements which comes with the adoption of an easily usable number system.

Then there is the ability to record such things on media which is relatively cheap and reproducible, such as paper.

All these things were part of what were necessary for the Scientific revolution and the Industrial revolution.

[desertsolitaire]

Build a man a fire and he’ll be warm for a day.
Set a man on fire and he’ll be warm for the rest of his life

[desertsolitaire]

It was always a treat when i could afford tje extra 10 or 15 cents for the rubber band powered propeller balsa plane with takeoff and landing wheels.

[Carry_Okie]

Good post. There are lots of subtleties to what makes a developing economy.

Then there is the ability to record such things on media which is relatively cheap and reproducible, such as paper.

As paper gets cheaper, books move "down market" to children who learn early enough to build upon what they had been taught. Life spans were short, and a productive adulthood even shorter.

[NorthMountain]

Give a man a fish and his hunger will be satisfied for a day.

Feed a man to the fishes and you’ll never have to worry about him ratting you out ...

[TigersEye]

[telescope115]

Oh yeah, I remember those….