Filippo Brunelleschi was an Italian architect and engineer born in 1377 in Florence. He is best known for designing the dome of the Florence Cathedral, which was a remarkable engineering feat for its time. His innovative use of perspective and architectural techniques greatly influenced the development of Renaissance architecture. Brunelleschi also contributed to the invention of linear perspective, a method that allows artists to create the illusion of depth on a flat surface. His work laid the foundation for many future architects and artists, making him a pivotal figure in the history of Western art and architecture.