Kites, kites Kites, kites

and more kites!and more kites!

Where did the kite come from?Where did the kite come from? China may be the birthplace of kites since the earliest written China may be the birthplace of kites since the earliest written

records are from China. The famous General Han Hsin used a kite records are from China. The famous General Han Hsin used a kite to defeat an evil emperor and establish the Western Han Dynasty in to defeat an evil emperor and establish the Western Han Dynasty in 206 B.C. One version of the legend says that he flew a kite over the 206 B.C. One version of the legend says that he flew a kite over the walls of the well-fortified palace. Carefully he marked the line and walls of the well-fortified palace. Carefully he marked the line and reeled in the kite. His small band of soldiers dug a tunnel into the reeled in the kite. His small band of soldiers dug a tunnel into the courtyard of the palace using the kite line to measure the distance. courtyard of the palace using the kite line to measure the distance. The General and his forces surprised the enemy and the kite The General and his forces surprised the enemy and the kite entered recorded history. entered recorded history. Another version of this story says that General Han Hsin, being Another version of this story says that General Han Hsin, being

a small man, had his troops tie him to a kite and fly him over the a small man, had his troops tie him to a kite and fly him over the enemy camp at night. Most of the enemy soldiers were startled enemy camp at night. Most of the enemy soldiers were startled by the strange object flying overhead commanding them, in a by the strange object flying overhead commanding them, in a loud voice, to return to their families. Most of the enemy fled and loud voice, to return to their families. Most of the enemy fled and the General and his forces defeated those who remained.the General and his forces defeated those who remained.

Kite fishing…still around from long Kite fishing…still around from long agoago

June 1752, June 1752, Benjamin Benjamin

Franklin used a Franklin used a kite to kite to

determine that determine that lightening lightening really is really is

electricity...electricity...PS...don’t do this in a real storm!

Samuel Cody and his kitesSamuel Cody and his kites1867 – 1913 (died in an air crash)1867 – 1913 (died in an air crash)

His man-lifting kite, The Bat, below

Captain Baden-Powell’s “Levitor” Captain Baden-Powell’s “Levitor” man-lifting kite...1894-1900man-lifting kite...1894-1900

William Eddy w/ “Eddy kite”, 1890’sWilliam Eddy w/ “Eddy kite”, 1890’s

First kite to employ dihedral for stability.

Lawrence Hargrave “Box kite”, 1893Lawrence Hargrave “Box kite”, 1893

Winged box kite

Weather kites…circa 1900Weather kites…circa 1900- On April 27, 1898, the first Weather Bureau kite was launched from Topeka, Kansas, and by the end of the year, 16 additional kite stations were attempting daily, early morning, simultaneous observations. The kites were large "box types" with dimensions of 8 feet long, 7 feet wide and 3 feet high.

Wright Brothers 1899 kite using wing Wright Brothers 1899 kite using wing warping for turningwarping for turning

Wright Brothers’ 1900 kite, no rudder Wright Brothers’ 1900 kite, no rudder and small elevator up frontand small elevator up front

Wright Brothers 1901 kite, larger Wright Brothers 1901 kite, larger elevator up front but still no rudderelevator up front but still no rudder

Wright Brothers 1902 kite with the Wright Brothers 1902 kite with the larger elevator and a rudderlarger elevator and a rudder

The January The January 1948 1948 kite kite contestcontest to to

span Niagara span Niagara Falls and link Falls and link the two sides the two sides

for a for a suspension suspension

bridgebridge

15-yr old American Homan Walsh wins the contest!

Rogallos’ “Flexiwing Kite,” 1948Rogallos’ “Flexiwing Kite,” 1948

William Allison’s “Sled Kite”, 1950’sWilliam Allison’s “Sled Kite”, 1950’s

Jalbert “Flexifoil,” 1964 (now known Jalbert “Flexifoil,” 1964 (now known as “Parafoil”)as “Parafoil”)

Let’s checkout NASA’s kite info...Let’s checkout NASA’s kite info...

Kite ModelerKite Modeler

Today’s modern kitesToday’s modern kites

Stunt kite

Power kites

Kite powered Kite powered buggyingbuggying

Time to learn some more and build Time to learn some more and build your own kite!your own kite!