<P> An anemometer is a device used for measuring the speed of wind, and is also a common weather station instrument . The term is derived from the Greek word anemos, which means wind, and is used to describe any wind speed measurement instrument used in meteorology . The first known description of an anemometer was given by Leon Battista Alberti in 1450 . </P> <P> The anemometer has changed little since its development in the 15th century . Leon Battista Alberti (1404--1472) is said to have invented the first mechanical anemometer around 1450 . In following centuries, numerous others, including Robert Hooke (1635--1703), developed their own versions, with some being mistakenly credited as the inventor . In 1846, John Thomas Romney Robinson (1792--1882) improved upon the design by using four hemispherical cups and mechanical wheels . In 1926, Canadian meteorologist John Patterson (January 3, 1872--February 22, 1956) developed a three - cup anemometer, which was improved by Brevoort and Joiner in 1935 . In 1991, Derek Weston added the ability to measure wind direction . In 1994, Andrews Pflitsch developed the sonic anemometer . </P>

What is the name of the instrument used to measure wind speed