The hygrometer, a device used to measure the humidity of the air, was invented by
Leonardo da Vinci in the 15th century. However, his version was quite different from the modern hygrometers we use today. Da Vinci's design used human hair, which expands and contracts with changes in humidity, as the sensing element.
Later, in the 17th century,
Jean-Baptiste de la Condamine, a French scientist, is also credited with contributing to the development of hygrometers. He built a more refined version of the device based on similar principles.
Since then, the hygrometer has evolved with advancements in technology and now includes various types such as mechanical, electronic, and digital versions, each using different methods to measure humidity.