The Kite

The History of Kites and How

Kites Influenced Technology
 Way Back When?……Kites
were invented.
• Some scholars think 1000 BC in China
• Others think no way to determine where and
when
• Current thinking China and Malaysia
• First documented 200 BC China Han Dynasty
• Early accounts of kites exist in Korea,
Thailand, Japan, New Zealand
• India oldest festival celebrated for centuries
• Early mention 1295 Europe - Marco Polo
 Early Uses For The Kite
• 200 BC Han general used kite to find correct
distance to dig a tunnel (triangulation)
• New Zealand and Asia kite fishing
• Asia- religious- Koreans released kites to take
away bad luck from babies
• Thailand- farmers flew kites- asked gods to
make monsoon winds to prevent flooding
rains
• Toys and Celebrations
Han general Flying Kite
 European Kite History
• 1405 manuscript reference about kite flying in
military
• 1430 directions for making kites appear
• 1589,1643 books show how to lift fireworks
with kites
• 1618 Middleburg, Holland an illustration
shows children flying diamond kites
• Kite is regarded as a toy in Europe
 1700’s Kites-More Scientific
And Begin To Influence
Technology
• 1749 Alexander Wilson (Scottish) uses
kites to lift thermometers. Proves that
temperature changes with altitude.
• 1752 Ben Franklin experiments prove
there is electricity in lightning. Modern
scholars doubt the view that he
personally held the kite string, probably
would have killed him.
Franklin Flyin’
 1800’s Kites on Steroids
• 1804 George Cayley -concept of heavier than
air flight,introduces idea of gliders
• 1827 George Peacock uses kites to pull a
carriage
• 1847 Homan Walsh, age 10, flew kite across
Niagara Gorge, first step in building a bridge
• 1890’s Larwence Hargrave, Wright Brothers
and others used cellular kites for lifting people
and flight studies.
• 1800’s many scientific studies involving kites.
Wright With Hargrave Design
 1900’s Kite Uses Multiply
• 1900 Guglielmo Marconi used a kite to
lift antenna for historical radio link
between Europe and North America
• 1901 Coyne kite used to raise military
observers
• 1903 Wright Brothers
• 1903 S.F.Cody uses kite to pull his
canoe across English Channel
First Powered Flight
 More Technology
• 1906 Kites used to take Aerial Photographs
(Damage from San Francisco earthquake).
• 1907 Alexander Graham Bell- tetrahedral cell
kite lifts his wife off the ground.
• 1919 Kite train flown to 31,955 ft. Lindenberg,
Germany
• 1939-1945 Kites used for targets, observing,
and communication in WWII.
• 1948 Francis Rogallo Flexi-wing kite.
Forerunner of hang glider and delta kite
1800’s Kite With Camera
Town In France Late 1800s
1906 San Francisco
Earthquake
Modern Kite Photo
 WW II Target
Lt. Commander Paul Garber
Ragallo Wing Design
 Modern Kites
• 1964 Domina Jalbert designs parafoil. No
sticks or supports- Used as parachutes and
personal powered aircraft
• 1972 Peter Powell multi-line stunt kites.
• 1978 Kuzuhiko Asaba flew 4128 kites on a
single line
• 1989 Kite flying becomes a sport, National
Stunt Kite Competition established
Jalbert Parafoil
Multi-line Stunt Kite
Peter Powell 1970’s
 What is a kite?
• Heavier than air craft that…..
• Depends on air moving across lifting surfaces
• Lifting surfaces have aerodynamic shape and
generate force to overcome downward pull of
gravity
• Tethered object using one or more lines
• Has a bridle to hold kite at an efficient angle
to the wind
 Types of Kites
• Flat
• Bowed
• Box
• Compound Box
• Delta
• Parafoil
• Sled
 Flat
• planar, need tails
 Bowed Kite
• dihedral angle, tail not needed
 Box Kite (Cellular)
• cellular, many surfaces
 Compound Box
• cellular, with wings
 Delta
• keel,triangular, billow in sail
 Parafoil
• no spars, air keeps them open
 Sled
• held open by wind, has spars
 Parts of A Typical Kite
• Sail- the paper, plastic, nylon,or cloth, cover
• Spars- any sticks or supports
• Spine- a spar that runs vertically (top to bottom) and
is usually on the centerline
• Bridle- line that connects the kite to the flying line
and controls angle of attack in flight (keel on delta
kite)
• Bridle Point-point where flying line attaches to the
kite
• Angle of attack- angle of the kite as it meets the wind
• Tail- strips of material, that increase drag for
decoration or to improve flight
 Flight Safety Rules
• Choose a large clear area for flying.
• Fly in good weather and never fly when raining
or stormy, ground should be dry
• Use string, do not use wire or monofilament line
• Avoid power lines, airfields, antennae
• Wear gloves for strong pulling kites
• Watch out for spectators
• Carefully consider safety when retrieving kites
from trees
 The End
• Visit your library to learn more
• Tons of Websites Google Search!
• Intothewind.com a great place to buy
kites and kite supplies
• American Kite Fliers Association
• www.aka.kite.org