<P> The earliest references for vertical flight came from China . Since around 400 BC , Chinese children have played with bamboo flying toys ( or Chinese top ) . This bamboo - copter is spun by rolling a stick attached to a rotor . The spinning creates lift , and the toy flies when released . The 4th - century AD Daoist book Baopuzi by Ge Hong ( 抱 朴 子 `` Master who Embraces Simplicity '' ) reportedly describes some of the ideas inherent to rotary wing aircraft . </P>
<P> The earliest references for vertical flight came from China . Since around 400 BC , Chinese children have played with bamboo flying toys ( or Chinese top ) . This bamboo - copter is spun by rolling a stick attached to a rotor . The spinning creates lift , and the toy flies when released . The 4th - century AD Daoist book Baopuzi by Ge Hong ( 抱 朴 子 `` Master who Embraces Simplicity '' ) reportedly describes some of the ideas inherent to rotary wing aircraft . </P>
where did the idea of helicopters come from
where did the idea of helicopters come from
China
China