Famous Flight Quote Not by Leonardo da Vinci

A famous quote about the love of flying is often said to be by Leonardo da Vinci. However, studies show his writings do not contain these words. The quote may have come from a TV show much later.
By Newsroom | History, Facts |

A widely shared quote, "Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will long to return," is often attributed to the Renaissance artist and inventor Leonardo da Vinci. However, a review of available evidence suggests this attribution may be inaccurate, prompting a closer examination of the quote's origin and circulation.

Tracing the Origins of a Famous Saying

The quote in question, often presented as a profound reflection on the allure of flight, has gained significant traction across various platforms, including websites dedicated to quotes and literature. Many sources, such as AOL and azquotes.com, list the quote directly under Leonardo da Vinci's name, further cementing this association in the public consciousness. Websites like onverticality.com and theonequote.app also feature the quote prominently.

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However, diligent research into da Vinci's known writings, specifically his "Codex on the Flight of Birds," has yielded no direct evidence of this statement. While da Vinci was deeply interested in aviation and meticulously documented his studies of birds and flying machines, this particular phrase does not appear within his verifiable works. This absence raises questions about how and when the quote became linked to him.

Evidence from Textual Analysis

  • Air Facts Journal reports that a close inspection of da Vinci's "Codex on the Flight of Birds" reveals it contains various notes, including a grocery list, but not the celebrated quote about flight. The publication notes the difficulty in proving a negative, but the lack of direct evidence in his documented writings is significant.

  • Quote Investigator® notes that versions of the quote have appeared in print since at least 1977, notably in an article about hang gliding in the "Trenton Times" and in a 1979 article about skydiving in the "Akron Beacon Journal." These appearances predate widespread digital dissemination and suggest the quote was circulating in print media before being widely associated with da Vinci.

Disputed Authorship and Wider Circulation

The investigation into the quote's provenance has pointed towards other potential authors. The notion that da Vinci penned these words appears to stem from later interpretations and attributions rather than direct evidence.

The John Hermes Secondari Connection

Literature.stackexchange.com, citing efforts by internet researchers and digital archives like Google Books, suggests that the quote may actually originate from John Hermes Secondari. His work on a television series called 'the Saga of Western Man' reportedly featured this phrase. This points to a more recent origin for the quote, distinct from da Vinci's historical period.

Expert and Investigative Perspectives

The discrepancy between the popular attribution and the lack of direct evidence has led to ongoing inquiry.

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  • Air Facts Journal emphasizes that while da Vinci certainly had a deep connection to the idea of flight, this specific quote is not found within his writings.

  • Quote Investigator® meticulously traces the quote's appearances in print, highlighting its use in aviation-related articles in the late 1970s, implying it was already a recognized phrase by that time.

The core issue is the lack of direct corroboration of the quote within Leonardo da Vinci's verified writings, contrasted with its frequent attribution to him and evidence of its circulation in the late 20th century under other contexts.

Conclusion and Next Steps

The persistent attribution of the quote "Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will long to return" to Leonardo da Vinci appears to be unsubstantiated by direct textual evidence from his known works. While da Vinci was undeniably fascinated by flight, the phrase's documented history points to potential origins in later media, possibly attributed to John Hermes Secondari.

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Further investigation could involve:

  • Exhaustive searches of John Hermes Secondari's documented works and broadcast materials to confirm his authorship.

  • A comparative analysis of the wording of the quote as it appeared in the 1970s with variations found online.

  • Examination of any private letters or less widely published documents that might exist from da Vinci's era to definitively rule out any possibility of its existence.

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the quote about flight really by Leonardo da Vinci?
No, research shows his writings do not have this quote. It is often linked to him by mistake.
Q: Where did the quote come from?
The quote may have been said by John Hermes Secondari for a TV show. It also appeared in newspapers in the 1970s.
Q: Why do people think Leonardo da Vinci said it?
He was very interested in flight and wrote about it. People may have thought the quote fit his ideas and started sharing it as his.