Hubbry Logo
KiteKiteMain
Open search
Kite
Community hub
Kite
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Contribute something
Kite
Kite
Kite
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

A first-person point of view of someone flying a kite
The Yokaichi Giant Kite Festival is held every July in Higashiomi, Shiga, Japan.[1]
Various kites being flown

A kite is a tethered heavier-than-air craft with wing surfaces that react against the air to create lift and drag forces.[2] A kite consists of wings, tethers and anchors. Kites often have a bridle and tail to guide the face of the kite so the wind can lift it.[3] Some kite designs do not need a bridle; box kites can have a single attachment point. A kite may have fixed or moving anchors that can balance the kite. The name is derived from the kite, the hovering bird of prey.[4]

There are several shapes of kites.

The lift that sustains the kite in flight is generated when air moves around the kite's surface, producing low pressure above and high pressure below the wings.[5] The interaction with the wind also generates horizontal drag along the direction of the wind. The resultant force vector from the lift and drag force components is opposed by the tension of one or more of the lines or tethers to which the kite is attached.[6] The anchor point of the kite line may be static or moving (e.g., the towing of a kite by a running person, boat, free-falling anchors as in paragliders and fugitive parakites[7][8] or vehicle).[9][10]

The same principles of fluid flow apply in liquids, so kites can be used in underwater currents.[11][12] Paravanes and otter boards operate underwater on an analogous principle.

Man-lifting kites were made for reconnaissance, entertainment and during development of the first practical aircraft, the biplane.

Kites have a long and varied history and many different types are flown individually and at festivals worldwide. Kites may be flown for recreation, art or other practical uses. Sport kites can be flown in aerial ballet, sometimes as part of a competition. Power kites are multi-line steerable kites designed to generate large forces which can be used to power activities such as kite surfing, kite landboarding, kite buggying and snow kiting.

History

[edit]
Woodcut print of a kite from John Bate's 1635 book The Mysteries of Nature and Art in which the kite is titled How to make fire Drakes

In China, the kite has been claimed as the invention of the 5th-century BC Chinese philosophers Mozi (also Mo Di, or Mo Ti) and Lu Ban (also Gongshu Ban, or Kungshu Phan). Materials ideal for kite building were readily available including silk fabric for sail material; fine, high-tensile-strength silk for flying line; and resilient bamboo for a strong, lightweight framework. By 549 AD, paper kites were certainly being flown, as it was recorded that in that year a paper kite was used as a message for a rescue mission. Ancient and medieval Chinese sources describe kites being used for measuring distances, testing the wind, lifting men, signaling, and communication for military operations. The earliest known Chinese kites were flat (not bowed) and often rectangular. Later, tailless kites incorporated a stabilizing bowline. Kites were decorated with mythological motifs and legendary figures; some were fitted with strings and whistles to make musical sounds while flying.[13][14][15]

Kite Flying by Suzuki Harunobu, 1766 (Metropolitan Museum of Art)

After its introduction into India, the kite further evolved into the fighter kite, known as the patang in India, where thousands are flown every year on festivals such as Makar Sankranti.[16]

Kites were known throughout Polynesia, as far as New Zealand, with the assumption being that the knowledge diffused from China along with the people. Anthropomorphic kites made from cloth and wood were used in religious ceremonies to send prayers to the gods.[17] Polynesian kite traditions are used by anthropologists to get an idea of early "primitive" Asian traditions that are believed to have at one time existed in Asia.[18]

Kites were late to arrive in Europe, although windsock-like banners were known and used by the Romans. Stories of kites were first brought to Europe by Marco Polo towards the end of the 13th century, and kites were brought back by sailors from Japan and Malaysia in the 16th and 17th centuries.[19][20] Konrad Kyeser described dragon kites in Bellifortis about 1400 AD.[21] Although kites were initially regarded as mere curiosities, by the 18th and 19th centuries they were being used as vehicles for scientific research.[19]

Boys flying a kite. Engraving published in Germany in 1828 by Johann Michael Voltz

In 1752, Benjamin Franklin published an account of a kite experiment to prove that lightning was caused by electricity.

Kites were also instrumental in the research of the Wright brothers, and others, as they developed the first airplane in the late 1800s. Several different designs of man-lifting kites were developed. The period from 1860 to about 1910 became the European "golden age of kiting".[22]

In the 20th century, many new kite designs are developed. These included Eddy's tailless diamond, the tetrahedral kite, the Rogallo wing, the sled kite, the parafoil, and power kites.[23] Kites were used for scientific purposes, especially in meteorology, aeronautics, wireless communications and photography. The Rogallo wing was adapted for stunt kites and hang gliding and the parafoil was adapted for parachuting and paragliding.

The rapid development of mechanically powered aircraft diminished interest in kites. World War II saw a limited use of kites for military purposes (survival radio, Focke Achgelis Fa 330, military radio antenna kites).

Kites are now mostly used for recreation. Lightweight synthetic materials (ripstop nylon, plastic film, carbon fiber tube and rod) are used for kite making. Synthetic rope and cord (nylon, polyethylene, kevlar and dyneema) are used as bridle and kite line.

Materials

[edit]

Designs often emulate flying insects, birds, and other beasts, both real and mythical. The finest Chinese kites are made from split bamboo (usually golden bamboo), covered with silk, and hand painted. On larger kites, clever hinges and latches allow the kite to be disassembled and compactly folded for storage or transport. Cheaper mass-produced kites are often made from printed polyester rather than silk.

Tails are used for some single-line kite designs to keep the kite's nose pointing into the wind. Spinners and spinsocks can be attached to the flying line for visual effect. There are rotating wind socks which spin like a turbine. On large display kites these tails, spinners and spinsocks can be 50 feet (15 m) long or more.

Modern aerobatic kites use two or four lines to allow fine control of the kite's angle to the wind. Traction kites may have an additional line to de-power the kite and quick-release mechanisms to disengage flyer and kite in an emergency.

Practical uses

[edit]
Main article: Kite applications

Kites have been used for human flight, military applications, science and meteorology, photography, lifting radio antennas, generating power, aerodynamics experiments, and much more.

Military applications

[edit]

Kites have been used for military purposes in the past, such as signaling, delivery of ammunition, and for observation, both by lifting an observer above the field of battle and by using kite aerial photography.

Kites were first used in warfare by the Chinese.[24] During the Song dynasty the Fire Crow, a kite carrying incendiary powder, a fuse, and a burning stick of incense was developed as a weapon.[25]

According to Samguk Sagi, in 647 Kim Yu-sin, a Korean general of Silla rallied his troops to defeat rebels by using flaming kites which also frightened the enemy.[26]

Russian chronicles mention Prince Oleg of Novgorod use of kites during the siege of Constantinople in 906: "and he crafted horses and men of paper, armed and gilded, and lifted them into the air over the city; the Greeks saw them and feared them".[27]

Walter de Milemete's 1326 De nobilitatibus, sapientiis, et prudentiis regum treatise depicts a group of knights flying kite laden with a black-powder filled firebomb over the wall of city.[28]

Kites were also used by Admiral Yi of the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1910) of Korea. During the Japanese invasions of Korea (1592–1598), Admiral Yi commanded his navy using kites. His kites had specific markings directing his fleet to perform various orders.[29]

One of Cody's "manlifter" kites in 1908

In the modern era the British Army used kites to haul human lookouts into the air for observation purposes, using the kites developed by Samuel Franklin Cody. Barrage kites were used to protect shipping during the Second World War.[30][31] Kites were also used for anti-aircraft target practice.[32] Kites and kytoons were used for lofting communications antenna.[33] Submarines lofted observers in rotary kites.[34]

Palestinians from the Gaza Strip have flown firebomb kites over the Israel–Gaza barrier, setting fires on the Israeli side of the border.[35][36][37][38] Hundreds of dunams of Israeli crop fields were burned by firebomb kites launched from Gaza, with an estimated economic loss of several millions of shekels.[39]

Science and meteorology

[edit]

Kites have been used for scientific purposes, such as Benjamin Franklin's famous experiment proving that lightning is electricity. Kites were the precursors to the traditional aircraft, and were instrumental in the development of early flying craft. Alexander Graham Bell experimented with very large man-lifting kites, as did the Wright brothers and Lawrence Hargrave. Kites had a historical role in lifting scientific instruments to measure atmospheric conditions for weather forecasting. Francis Ronalds and William Radcliffe Birt described a very stable kite at Kew Observatory as early as 1847 that was trialled for the purpose of supporting self-registering meteorological instruments at height.[40]

Radio aerials and light beacons

[edit]

Kites can be used for radio purposes, by kites carrying antennas for MF, LF or VLF-transmitters. This method was used for the reception station of the first transatlantic transmission by Marconi. Captive balloons may be more convenient for such experiments, because kite-carried antennas require a lot of wind, which may be not always possible with heavy equipment and a ground conductor. It must be taken into account during experiments, that a conductor carried by a kite can lead to high voltage toward ground, which can endanger people and equipment, if suitable precautions (grounding through resistors or a parallel resonant circuit tuned to transmission frequency) are not taken.

Kites can be used to carry light effects such as lightsticks or battery powered lights.

Kite traction

[edit]
A quad-line traction kite, commonly used as a power source for kite surfing

Kites can be used to pull people and vehicles downwind. Efficient foil-type kites such as power kites can also be used to sail upwind under the same principles as used by other sailing craft, provided that lateral forces on the ground or in the water are redirected as with the keels, center boards, wheels and ice blades of traditional sailing craft. In the last two decades several kite sailing sports have become popular, such as kite buggying, kite land boarding, kite boating and kite surfing. Snow kiting has also become popular in recent years.

Kite sailing opens several possibilities not available in traditional sailing:

  • Wind speeds are greater at higher altitudes
  • Kites may be maneuvered dynamically which increases the force available dramatically
  • There is no need for mechanical structures to withstand bending forces; vehicles or hulls can be very light or dispensed with all together

Electricity generation

[edit]

Computer-controlled kites can serve as a method of electricity generation when windmills are impractical. Several companies have introduced self-contained crates and shipping containers that provide an alternative to gas-powered generators for remote locations. Such systems use a combination of autonomous, self-launching kites for generation and batteries to store excess power for when winds are low or when otherwise draw exceeds supply. Some designs are tethered to long lines to reach high altitude winds which are always present, even when ground level winds are unavailable or insufficient.[41][42][43][44][45]

Underwater kites

[edit]

Underwater kites are now being developed to harvest renewable power from the flow of water.[46][47]

  • A kite was used in minesweeping operations from the First World War: this was a foil "attached to a sweep-wire submerging it to the requisite depth when it is towed over a minefield" (OED, 2021). See also paravane.

Cultural uses

[edit]

Kite festivals are a popular form of entertainment throughout the world. They include large local events, traditional festivals which have been held for hundreds[clarification needed] of years and major international festivals which bring in kite flyers from other countries to display their unique art kites and demonstrate the latest technical kites.

Many countries have kite museums.[48] These museums may have a focus on historical kites, preserving the country's kite traditions.

Asia

[edit]
Kite maker from India, image from Travels in India, including Sinde and the Punjab by H. E. Lloyd, 1845

Kite flying is popular in many Asian countries, where it often takes the form of "kite fighting", in which participants try to snag each other's kites or cut other kites down.[49][50] Fighter kites are usually small, flattened diamond-shaped kites made of paper and bamboo. Tails are not used on fighter kites so that agility and maneuverability are not compromised.

Boy flying kite in outskirts of Kathmandu Valley

In Afghanistan, kite flying is a popular game, and is known in Dari as Gudiparan Bazi. Some kite fighters pass their strings through a mixture of ground glass powder and glue, which is legal. The resulting strings are very abrasive and can sever the competitor's strings more easily. The abrasive strings can also injure people. Currently after Taliban rule in Afghanistan, kite flying is banned, among various other recreations.

Kites are very popular in India, with the states of Gujarat, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab notable for their kite fighting festivals. Highly maneuverable single-string paper and bamboo kites are flown from the rooftops while using line friction in an attempt to cut each other's kite lines, either by letting the cutting line loose at high speed or by pulling the line in a fast and repeated manner.[51] During the Indian spring festival of Makar Sankranti, near the middle of January, millions of people fly kites all over northern India. Kite flying in Hyderabad starts a month before this, but kite flying/fighting is an important part of other celebrations, including Republic Day, Independence Day, Raksha Bandhan, Viswakarma Puja day in late September and Janmashtami. An international kite festival is held every year before Uttarayan for three days in Vadodara, Surat and Ahmedabad.

In Indonesia kites are flown as both sport and recreation. One of the most popular kite variants is from Bali. Balinese kites are unique and they have different designs and forms; birds, butterflies, dragons, ships, etc. In Vietnam, kites are flown without tails. Instead small flutes are attached allowing the wind to "hum" a musical tune. There are other forms of sound-making kites. In Bali, large bows are attached to the front of the kites to make a deep throbbing vibration, and in Malaysia, a row of gourds with sound-slots are used to create a whistle as the kite flies. Malaysia is also home to the Kite Museum in Malacca.[52]

In Japan, kite flying is traditionally a children's play in New Year holidays and in the Boys' Festival in May. In some areas, there is a tradition to celebrate a new boy baby with a new kite (祝い凧). There are many kite festivals throughout Japan. The most famous one is "Yōkaichi Giant Kite Festival" in Higashiōmi, Shiga, which started in 1841.[53] The largest kite ever built in the festival is 62 feet (19 m) wide by 67 feet (20 m) high and weighs 3,307 pounds (1,500 kg).[54] In the Hamamatsu Kite Festival in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, more than 100 kites are flown in the sky over the Nakatajima Sand Dunes, one of the three largest sand dunes in Japan, which overlooks the Enshunada Sea.[55] Parents who have a new baby prepare a new kite with their baby's name and fly it in the festival.[56] These kites are traditional ones made from bamboo and paper.

Kite are also popular in Nepal, especially in hilly areas and among the Pahadi and Newar communities, although people also fly kites in Terai areas. Unlike India, people in Nepal fly kites in August – September period and is more popular in time of Dashain.[57]

In Pakistan, kite flying is often known as Gudi-Bazi or Patang-bazi. Although kite flying is a popular ritual for the celebration of spring festival known as Jashn-e-Baharaan (lit. Spring Festival) or Basant, kites are flown throughout the year. Kite fighting is a very popular pastime all around Pakistan, but mostly in urban centers across the country (especially Lahore). The kite fights are at their highest during the spring celebrations and the fighters enjoy competing with rivals to cut-loose the string of the others kite, popularly known as "Paecha". During the spring festival, kite flying competitions are held across the country and the skies are colored with kites. When a competitor succeeds in cutting another's kite loose, shouts of 'wo kata' ring through the air. Cut kites are reclaimed by chasing after them. This is a popular ritual, especially among the country's youth, and is depicted in the 2007 film The Kite Runner (although that story is based in neighboring Afghanistan). Kites and strings are a big business in the country and several different types of string are used, including glass-coated, metal, and tandi. Kite flying was banned in Punjab, Pakistan due to more than one motorcyclist death caused by glass-coated or metal kite strings.[58] Kup, Patang, Guda, and Nakhlaoo are some of the popular kite brands; they vary in balance, weight and speed.

Kites have been flown in China since ancient times. Weifang is home to the largest kite museum in the world.[59][60] It also hosts an annual international kite festival on the large salt flats south of the city. There are several kite museums in Japan, UK, Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan, Thailand and the USA. In the pre-modern period, Malays in Singapore used kites for fishing.[61]

  • Making a traditional Wau jala budi kite in Malaysia. The bamboo frame is covered with plain paper and then decorated with multiple layers of shaped paper and foil.
    Making a traditional Wau jala budi kite in Malaysia. The bamboo frame is covered with plain paper and then decorated with multiple layers of shaped paper and foil.
  • Various Balinese kites is on display in front of a store in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
    Various Balinese kites is on display in front of a store in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
  • A kite shop in Lucknow, India
    A kite shop in Lucknow, India
  • Traditional Japanese kites
    Traditional Japanese kites
  • Different kites are sold at a shop in Hội An, Vietnam
    Different kites are sold at a shop in Hội An, Vietnam

Europe

[edit]
Bermuda kite

In Greece and Cyprus, flying kites is a tradition for Clean Monday, the first day of Lent. In the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda, traditional Bermuda kites are made and flown at Easter, to symbolise Christ's ascent. In Fuerteventura a kite festival is usually held on the weekend nearest to 8 November lasting for 3 days.

Polynesia

[edit]

Polynesian traditional kites are sometimes used at ceremonies and variants of traditional kites for amusement. Older pieces are kept in museums. These are treasured by the people of Polynesia.

  • Māori kite
    Māori kite
  • Launch of ram-air inflated Peter Lynn single-line kite, shaped like an octopus and 90 feet (27 m) long
    Launch of ram-air inflated Peter Lynn single-line kite, shaped like an octopus and 90 feet (27 m) long

South America

[edit]
A kite in the shape of the flag of Kuwait. The size when flat is 42 by 25 meters (138 ft × 82 ft), 1,050 square meters (11,300 sq ft). While flying it becomes a little smaller (about 900 square meters (9,700 sq ft)) due to curvature of the edges when inflated.

In Brazil, flying a kite is a very popular leisure activity for children, teenagers and even young adults. Mostly these are boys, and it is overwhelmingly kite fighting a game whose goal is to maneuver their own kites to cut the other persons' kites' strings during flight, and followed by kite running where participants race through the streets to take the free-drifting kites. As in other countries with similar traditions, injuries are common and motorcyclists in particular need to take precautions.[62]

In Chile, kites are very popular, especially during Independence Day festivities (September 18). In Peru, kites are also very popular. There are kite festivals in parks and beaches mostly on August.

In Colombia, kites can be seen flown in parks and recreation areas during August which is calles as windy. It is during this month that most people, especially the young ones would fly kites.

In Guyana, kites are flown at Easter, an activity in which all ethnic and religious groups participate. Kites are generally not flown at any other time of year. Kites start appearing in the sky in the weeks leading up to Easter and school children are taken to parks for the activity. It all culminates in a massive airborne celebration on Easter Monday especially in Georgetown, the capital, and other coastal areas. The history of the practice is not entirely clear but given that Easter is a Christian festival, it is said that kite flying is symbolic of the Risen Lord. Moore[63] describes the phenomenon in the 19th century as follows:

A very popular Creole pastime was the flying of kites. Easter Monday, a public holiday, was the great kite-flying day on the sea wall in Georgetown and on open lands in villages. Young and old alike, male and female, appeared to be seized by kite-flying mania. Easter 1885 serves as a good example. "The appearance of the sky all over Georgetown, but especially towards the Sea Wall, was very striking, the air being thick with kites of all shapes and sizes, covered with gaily coloured paper, all riding bravely on the strong wind.

— (His quotation is from a letter to The Creole newspaper of December 29, 1858.)

The exact origins of the practice of kite flying (exclusively) at Easter are unclear. Bridget Brereton and Kevin Yelvington[64] speculate that kite flying was introduced by Chinese indentured immigrants to the then colony of British Guiana in the mid 19th century. The author of an article in the Guyana Chronicle newspaper of May 6, 2007 is more certain:

Kite flying originated as a Chinese tradition to mark the beginning of spring. However, because the plantation owners were suspicious of the planter class (read "plantation workers"), the Chinese claimed that it represented the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It was a clever argument, as at that time, Christians celebrated Easter to the glory of the risen Christ. The Chinese came to Guyana from 1853–1879.[65]

World records

[edit]
Chinese dragon kite more than one hundred feet long which flew at the annual Berkeley, California, kite festival in 2000

There are many world records involving kites.[66] The world's largest kites are inflatable single-line kites. The world record for the largest kite flown for at least 20 minutes is "The Flag of Kuwait".[67]

The world record for most kites flown simultaneously was achieved in 2011 when 12,350 kites were flown by children on Al-Waha beach in Gaza Strip.[68]

The single-kite altitude record is held by a triangular-box delta kite. On 23 September 2014 a team led by Robert Moore, flew a 129 square feet (12 m2) kite to 16,009 feet (4,880 m) above ground level.[69] The record altitude was reached after eight series of attempts over a ten-year period from a remote location in western New South Wales, Australia. The 9.2 feet (3 m) tall and 19.6 feet (6 m) wide Dunton-Taylor delta kite's flight was controlled by a winch system using 40,682 feet (12,400 m) of ultra high strength Dyneema line. The flight took about eight hours from ground and return. The height was measured with on-board GPS telemetry transmitting positional data in real time to a ground-based computer and also back-up GPS data loggers for later analysis.[70]

General safety issues

[edit]
A man flying a kite on the beach, a good location for flying as winds travelling across the sea contain few up or down draughts which cause kites to fly erratically

There are safety issues involved in kite-flying. Kite lines can strike and tangle on electrical power lines, causing power blackouts and running the risk of electrocuting the kite flier. Wet kite lines or wire can act as a conductor for static electricity and lightning when the weather is stormy. Kites with large surface area or powerful lift can lift kite fliers off the ground or drag them into other objects. In urban areas there is usually a ceiling on how high a kite can be flown, to prevent the kite and line infringing on the airspace of helicopters and light aircraft. It is also possible for fighter kites to kill people, as happened in India when three spectators were killed in separate incidents during Independence Day, August, 2016—precipitating a ban on certain types of enhanced line.[citation needed]

The government of Egypt banned kite-flying in July 2020, seizing 369 kites in Cairo and 99 in Alexandria, citing both safety and national security concerns.[71]

Designs

[edit]
[edit]
  • This delta kite has a keel instead of a bridle
    This delta kite has a keel instead of a bridle
  • Giant Japanese kite launched, 2019
  • Train of connected kites
    Train of connected kites
  • Kites fly on top of the Mitsui Store where the craftsmen are working on top of the roof, print by Hokusai
    Kites fly on top of the Mitsui Store where the craftsmen are working on top of the roof, print by Hokusai
  • Hiroshige II Enshū Akiha (1859)
    Hiroshige II Enshū Akiha (1859)
  • Illustration from the book Story of the mince pie by Josephine Scribner Gates (1916)
  • Star-shaped kite above a meadow south of Hockenheim, Germany. This sparless, ram-air inflated kite, has a complex bridle formed of many strings attached to the face of the wing.
    Star-shaped kite above a meadow south of Hockenheim, Germany. This sparless, ram-air inflated kite, has a complex bridle formed of many strings attached to the face of the wing.

Types

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Kite

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
A kite is a tethered, heavier-than-air structure that achieves flight through aerodynamic lift generated by flowing over its wing-like surfaces, counterbalanced by forces of weight, drag, and tether tension. This basic principle, akin to that of but reliant on ground control via a line, enables kites to soar at varying altitudes depending on wind conditions and . Kites originated in between 475 BCE and 221 BCE, initially constructed from wood in bird-like shapes for signaling and distance measurement across terrain. Over centuries, they spread globally, influencing diverse applications from recreational flying and cultural festivals in and —where they symbolize connections to the divine—to scientific endeavors like Benjamin Franklin's 1752 electricity experiments and weather observations. In technology, kites advanced studies, aided early aviation through the ' glider prototypes, and supported meteorological data collection with instrument-lifting capabilities. Modern kites range from simple diamond shapes for casual play to large, inflatable designs exceeding 90 feet in length, used in power generation prototypes and , underscoring their enduring versatility beyond mere amusement.

Principles of Flight

Aerodynamics and Physics

A kite maintains flight by balancing four primary forces: its weight acting downward due to , the tension in the tether line pulling toward the ground operator, and two aerodynamic forces—lift perpendicular to the relative wind direction and drag parallel to it. Lift arises from the kite's deflecting oncoming airflow downward, imparting to the air per Newton's third law and generating an equal upward reaction force on the kite; this deflection also produces pressure differences across the sail, with lower pressure on the windward side and higher on the leeward side, consistent with . Drag opposes the wind's motion relative to the kite, increasing with sail area, wind speed squared, and the determined by sail shape and angle. In steady-state flight, the vertical components of lift and line tension must equal the kite's weight, while the horizontal components balance drag, with the typically ranging from 45 to 80 degrees depending on and kite design. The minimum required for launch and sustained flight varies by kite mass and area but generally exceeds 3-5 m/s (7-11 mph) for lightweight recreational models, as lift scales with dynamic pressure (½ ρ v², where ρ is air and v is ) and sail area. Aerodynamic forces act through the center of pressure on the sail, which shifts with —the angle between the sail's chord line and relative wind—optimal values around 10-20 degrees maximizing before stall occurs due to airflow separation. Unlike powered , kites lack forward and rely on the for horizontal equilibrium, constraining their motion to a tethered arc where apparent combines true and kite induced by line tension. Empirical measurements confirm that flat-plate kites, common in basic designs, generate lift coefficients up to 1.2 at moderate angles of attack, comparable to cambered airfoils but with higher induced drag from tip vortices and sail flexing. These principles derive from approximations adjusted for real viscous effects, underscoring that kite flight exemplifies fixed-wing under constraint rather than powered propulsion.

Stability and Control Factors

The stability of a kite in flight depends on maintaining equilibrium among lift, drag, , and tension from the , with the center of positioned at or below the to generate restoring s that prevent pitching instability. For longitudinal stability, the net aerodynamic about the point must exhibit a negative relative to the angle of attack, ensuring that deviations from the equilibrium angle produce corrective moments. Lateral stability is enhanced by structural features such as dihedral in the cross-spar, where the upward angling of tips creates a rolling moment that counters sideslip by increasing lift on the lower . Yaw stability often relies on trailing elements like tails, which introduce asymmetric drag to dampen rotational oscillations induced by gusts, shifting the effective center of rearward. Control factors for single-line kites primarily involve configuration, which adjusts the by determining the pivot point for aerodynamic forces, allowing optimization of the for steady flight in varying wind speeds typically between 5 and 25 km/h. The 's length and attachment points influence balance, with shorter top lines increasing pitch sensitivity to wind changes, while keels or bowed sails can substitute for by providing inherent without additional drag. In gusty conditions, excessive length—often 3 to 10 times the kite's span—can over-dampen responses, leading to sluggish recovery, whereas insufficient promotes looping. For dual-line or traction kites, control extends to active depower and steering via differential line tension, modulating camber and to achieve turns with radii as small as 10 meters at speeds up to 50 km/h. Empirical tests demonstrate that stable designs exhibit a center of pressure forward of the center of gravity by 5-10% of the chord length, minimizing divergence in unsteady winds where induces transient angles of attack up to 10 degrees. variations, such as swept leading edges in delta kites, contribute to roll damping by delaying on one wing during yaw, though this effect diminishes above wind speeds of 15 m/s without supplemental stabilizers. Overall, these factors ensure the kite's trajectory remains predictable, with manifesting as collapse when the restoring slope approaches zero. These stability and control mechanisms enable bird-shaped kites to achieve prolonged flight, as exemplified by the ancient Chinese "木鵲" (mù què), which reportedly flew continuously for three days and nights in steady winds (Beaufort scale 3-8) through bridle adjustments for balance, arched wings for lift, tails for stability, tether control, and continuous monitoring to prevent landing.

Historical Development

Ancient Origins in Asia

The earliest records of kite-like flying devices trace to ancient during the Warring States period (475–221 BCE), where they were constructed from wood in the shape of birds to achieve sustained flight. These rudimentary kites, often attributed to early experimentation with , represented humanity's initial forays into harnessing wind for lifted objects, predating written accounts by potentially centuries based on oral traditions. However, no archaeological artifacts from this era have been unearthed to confirm physical existence, with evidence relying on later historical texts and rather than direct empirical remains. Chinese philosophical figures (c. 470–391 BCE) and (c. 507–444 BCE) are legendarily credited with inventing the kite, with reportedly crafting a wooden bird that remained aloft for three days to demonstrate principles of flight and leverage. , a master carpenter, is said to have fashioned a "bamboo sparrow hawk" inspired by observing raptors, using it to scout and measure distances, such as the length of a to breach city walls during sieges. These accounts, preserved in texts like the Mozi and later compilations, reflect practical applications in warfare and engineering but lack contemporary verification, appearing in historiographies compiled centuries afterward. By the Han Dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE), kites transitioned from experimental tools to documented utilities, with General Han Xin employing one around 200 BCE to ascertain the precise distance over enemy walls at Weiyang, facilitating a successful assault. Initial designs utilized bamboo frames covered in silk or paper, enabling signaling for troops, wind measurement for calendars, and even punitive devices to lift individuals as a form of execution. Religious and ceremonial roles also emerged, as kites symbolized aspirations or warded off evil spirits in rituals, integrating into cultural practices that emphasized empirical observation of natural forces. While these applications underscore causal links between kite flight and strategic necessities—such as line-of-sight communication in pre-telegraph eras—their attribution to specific inventors remains anecdotal, with broader diffusion across Asia occurring through trade and migration rather than isolated invention.

Spread to Europe and Early Western Uses

Accounts of kites first reached in the late 13th century via Marco Polo's Il Milione, published after his return from in 1295, which detailed their military signaling and man-lifting applications observed among Chinese merchants. Actual kites arrived through maritime explorers and traders in the 16th and 17th centuries, with sailors importing them from and ; these were initially treated as exotic novelties rather than widespread implements. References to kite flying emerged in European writings during the 14th and 15th centuries, attributed to figures including Portuguese explorer (c. 1469–1524) and Italian della Porta (1535–1615), the latter of whom described kite-like aerial devices in his (1589), influencing early rectangular kite designs. Early Western applications focused on recreation and amusement, particularly among children and sailors, with unambiguous printed illustrations appearing in Dutch and English works by the 17th century. Scientific experimentation began in the , exemplified by the 1749 atmospheric measurements using kites by students Alexander Wilson and Thomas Melville, followed by Benjamin Franklin's 1752 kite-based electrical conduction experiment during a .

19th-Century Scientific and Military Advancements

![Samuel Franklin Cody demonstrating man-lifting kite apparatus][float-right] In the 19th century, kites transitioned from recreational and cultural tools to instruments for scientific inquiry, particularly in and . Sir , recognized as a pioneer in , employed modified arch-type kites to construct early "flying machines" that demonstrated principles of lift and control, advancing understanding of heavier-than-air flight. Concurrently, kites facilitated atmospheric research; by the late 1800s, they lifted meteorological instruments to altitudes unattainable by ground-based methods, enabling measurements of wind, temperature, and pressure profiles. William Abner Eddy's development of tailless hexagonal kites in the improved stability for such observations, contributing to the establishment of weather stations like the Blue Hill Observatory, where experiments in 1896 gathered upper-air data using kite trains. Lawrence Hargrave's invention of the box kite in the 1890s marked a significant aerodynamic breakthrough. Hargrave, an Australian engineer, designed the cellular structure for enhanced lift and stability; on November 12, 1894, a train of four box kites lifted him 16 feet (4.8 meters) into the air at Stanwell Park, demonstrating potential for manned flight and influencing subsequent designs, including those by the . These kites provided twice the altitude of traditional designs for and , underscoring their role as precursors to powered . Military applications emerged toward the century's end, driven by needs for without the logistical burdens of balloons. Baden Fletcher Smyth Baden-Powell conducted man-lifting experiments starting in 1893, proposing kite systems for observation posts. In June 1894, he constructed a 36-foot-high kite at , capable of elevating observers for signaling and , which he advocated to British forces as superior to balloons due to ease of deployment and storage. Though not deployed in combat during the Boer War (1899–1902), these efforts highlighted kites' tactical value in providing elevated vantage points at lower cost and risk than alternatives.

20th-Century Recreational and Technological Evolution

The 20th century marked a transition in kite design and use, with recreational flying benefiting from new synthetic materials that enhanced durability and performance. Ripstop nylon emerged as a preferred sail material due to its tear-resistant properties woven with reinforced threads, allowing kites to withstand higher winds without fraying. Similarly, Mylar, a polyester film, was introduced in the early 1950s, enabling lightweight, weather-resistant constructions; in 1952, the Flexikite utilized Mylar for an affordable toy model that popularized mass-produced kites. These advancements shifted production from traditional paper and silk to industrially manufactured synthetics, reducing costs and increasing accessibility for hobbyists. Recreational innovations focused on maneuverability and aesthetics, leading to the development of sport kites. The delta kite, characterized by its triangular shape and central for stability, originated in the mid-1940s when architect Wilbur E. "Bill" Green adapted a Chinese kite design, creating a simple, high-flying form suitable for beginners. By the 1970s, dual-line control-line stunt kites gained traction; Peter Powell's 1972 introduction of a controllable two-line kite enabled precise aerial tricks, transforming kite flying from passive drifting to an active sport. This era also saw the rise of larger "big wing" designs, such as Don Tabor's 1983 Hawaiian Team Kite with an 8-foot span, which emphasized speed and power for competitive events. Technologically, kites retained utility in scientific and military contexts despite competition from powered . Early in the century, box kites facilitated atmospheric measurements, including wind velocity and temperature, as extensions of 19th-century meteorological work before radiosondes dominated post-1930s. Militarily, kites served as aerial targets for anti-aircraft training during both world wars, simulating low-flying threats in gunnery practice due to their low cost and ease of deployment. The ' 1900 experiments flew early biplanes as tethered kites to test , bridging kite principles to powered flight. Man-lifting applications persisted for and entertainment, evolving into recreational variants by mid-century, though safety limitations curtailed widespread adoption. These uses underscored kites' role in prototyping aerodynamic concepts, informing later and defense technologies.

Recent Developments (2000–Present)

Since 2000, kite designs have incorporated advanced materials such as lighter fabrics and reinforced threading, enabling broader ranges, improved durability of inflation systems, and enhanced relaunch capabilities, particularly in and traction kites. These innovations, including hybrid bow and C-shaped profiles, have facilitated more precise control and safety features like automated depower systems, reducing risks in high- conditions. Kiteboarding, encompassing kitesurfing, kite landboarding, and snowkiting, experienced rapid growth post-2000 due to refined traction kite technology, with participant numbers rising steadily through improved accessibility and specialized equipment like hydrofoils and strapless boards. Competitive achievements highlighted this era, including the 2024 Woo jump of 36.7 meters by Hugo Wigglesworth using a single-line foil kite. In 2025, British kitesurfer Jake Scrace set the for highest kite surf tow-up at 1,587 feet (483.7 meters) over of Wight, nearly doubling the prior mark and demonstrating advancements in tow-line strength and kite stability. Emerging applications include systems, where soft kites harness high-altitude winds for electricity generation as alternatives to fixed s or diesel generators. Kitepower's Falcon system, tested in Ireland since 2023, pairs a 60-square-meter kite with ground-based generators to produce up to 100 kW, with 2025 integrations of battery storage enhancing off-grid reliability. Similarly, SkySails Power's Kyo, launched in 2025, deploys a 450 kW kite-based for decentralized power in remote or variable-wind sites, leveraging automated flight patterns for efficiency. These developments prioritize mobility and scalability, with prototypes achieving container-sized outputs by 2024.

Design and Construction

Core Components and Assembly

The core components of a kite consist of a structural frame, sail material, bridle system, and flying line, which together enable lift generation and controlled flight against wind forces. The frame, often formed from lightweight spars such as wooden dowels, bamboo, or fiberglass rods, provides rigidity to maintain the kite's aerodynamic shape; in basic designs like the diamond kite, it includes a vertical spine spar running from nose to tail and a horizontal cross-spar perpendicular at or near the midpoint. The sail, typically made from paper, ripstop nylon, or plastic sheeting, forms the wind-catching surface that produces lift via airflow deflection over its curved profile. The bridle comprises multiple thin lines anchored to specific frame points (e.g., the spine top, cross-spar ends, and bottom), converging at a tow point to optimize the kite's angle of attack for stability. The flying line, a strong, low-stretch tether such as Dacron or Spectra, connects the bridle tow point to the flyer, countering thrust while allowing ground control. Assembly of a basic kite begins with preparing the frame: spars are cut to precise lengths (e.g., spine slightly longer than sail height, cross-spar matching sail width), notched or drilled at intersections for secure joining via string lashing, tape, or fitted connectors to form a cross or polygonal skeleton without excessive weight. The sail is then laid flat, aligned over the frame, and secured along edges using reinforced tape, adhesive, or hemmed seams to ensure tautness and airtightness, preventing flutter; reinforcements at stress points like the nose and spar ends enhance durability. Bridle lines are tied to frame attachment points—typically two or three legs for adjustability—with lengths proportioned to the kite size (e.g., upper leg shorter than lower for proper tilt)—and knotted at the tow point for flying line attachment. Optional tails, consisting of ribbons or fabric strips attached to the trailing edge, are added post-assembly for yaw stability in lighter winds, though modern designs often rely on dihedral angles or keels in the sail for balance without them. This process yields a lightweight structure, often under 100 grams for small recreational kites, capable of flight in winds of 5–15 mph depending on scaling. Variations in assembly account for design type; for instance, box kites require four longitudinal "leg" spars connected by cross-pieces and end panels, assembled into a lattice before covering, to achieve cellular rigidity without a single cross-spar. Precision in measurements—such as ensuring the cross-spar bows slightly under tension for camber—is critical, as misalignment increases drag or induces instability, verifiable through test flights adjusting bridle ratios empirically.

Materials and Their Properties

Traditional kite frames employed spars due to their high strength-to-weight ratio, flexibility under bending loads, and natural availability, enabling resilient structures that withstand wind stresses without fracturing. 's compressive strength, often exceeding 50 MPa in mature culms, and low around 0.6-0.8 g/cm³ facilitate lightweight construction essential for generating sufficient lift relative to drag. Covering materials like or provided taut, lightweight sails; offers tensile strength up to 50-100 MPa with minimal areal (10-20 g/m²), promoting aerodynamic efficiency by maintaining shape under airflow, while , though more durable with elongation at break around 20-25%, is denser and costlier, limiting its use to decorative or high-value kites. Modern kite construction favors synthetic materials for enhanced performance. Ripstop nylon, typically 0.5-0.75 oz/yd² (17-25 g/m²), dominates sail fabrication owing to its woven grid of reinforced threads that halt tear propagation, yielding tear strength over 10 N and low stretch (under 5% at operational tensions), which preserves integrity in variable winds. Polyurethane-coated variants resist water permeation and UV degradation, extending service life beyond 100 hours of exposure. For spars, rods provide flexibility and impact resistance, with near-indestructibility under repeated flexing, though higher density (1.8-2.5 g/cm³) than increases inertial loads. Carbon fiber alternatives offer superior stiffness (modulus up to 200-500 GPa) and lower density (1.5-1.8 g/cm³), reducing overall kite mass by 20-30% compared to for equivalent bending strength, but their brittleness under transverse impacts necessitates careful handling. Material selection hinges on causal trade-offs: minimal maximizes lift-to-weight ratio per Newton's laws applied to kite dynamics, while tensile and flexural moduli ensure stability against flutter or from aerodynamic forces, with empirical testing confirming ripstop's efficacy in gusts via elastic recovery.

Variations in Shape and Structure

Kite designs vary significantly in shape to optimize aerodynamic performance, including lift generation, stability, and responsiveness to wind. Flat kites, such as the traditional diamond configuration, utilize a simple frame of two crossed spars forming a rhombus-shaped sail, where bridle lines create a dihedral angle for inherent stability without additional structures. These designs rely on tail or weight distribution for yaw control, performing best in moderate winds but prone to fluttering in gusts. Cellular structures, exemplified by the box kite invented by Australian engineer in 1892, consist of multiple rectangular cells connected along a longitudinal axis, providing three-dimensional rigidity and superior roll resistance through distributed lift surfaces. Hargrave's iteration featured struts and cotton sails, enabling manned lift experiments by 1894 when four units elevated him 16 feet above Stanwell Park beach. This tubular form influenced early , as its closed-frame geometry minimized twisting compared to planar sails. Triangular delta kites incorporate swept leading edges and high aspect ratios, enhancing glide efficiency via reduced induced drag, often with a spar replacing traditional bridles for simplified assembly and pitch control. Hexagonal rokkaku designs, rooted in Japanese tradition, employ bowed horizontal spars to tension the into a curved profile, yielding taut that excel in precision maneuvers and higher wind speeds. Frameless kites feature quasi-planar airfoils with internal cells that inflate via , forming cambered wings without rigid spars, which confers flexibility and relaunch capability from water or ground but demands consistent airflow for structural integrity. Structural variations also include kites with pleated sails that deploy without , relying on fabric tension for shape, and tetrahedral clusters stacking pyramidal cells for scalable lift in scientific applications. These adaptations reflect causal trade-offs: rigid ensure form in low winds at the cost of portability, while inflatables prioritize durability over fine control.

Classification of Kites

Single-Line Kites

Single-line kites are tethered and controlled by a single line from the flyer, enabling stable flight in winds typically ranging from 5 to 25 miles per hour (8 to 40 km/h), depending on design and size. This contrasts with multi-line kites, which use two or more lines for enhanced maneuverability, such as stunts or racing. Single-line designs prioritize ease of launch, artistic expression, and payload capacity over dynamic control, making them suitable for recreational flying, festivals, and applications like aerial photography. Classified primarily by , single-line kites include flat types with a single planar lifting surface, such as and hexagons, which often require tails for stability except in fighter variants. Bowed kites feature a dihedral curve from spars, exemplified by Rokkaku and designs, providing inherent stability without tails. Cellular and dimensional forms, like box kites, offer three-dimensional structures capable of lifting heavier loads when configured in arrays. Delta kites adopt a triangular form with pivoting leading-edge , achieving a steep flight angle in light from 5 to 20 mph (8 to 32 km/h), though they may become unpredictable in gusts. Soft and flexible kites, including parafoils and sleds, derive shape from without rigid frames or with minimal , allowing compact storage and performance in variable conditions up to 30 mph (48 km/h). These variations support diverse uses, from the Rokkaku's potential altitude of 400 feet (122 m) in battles to the Dopero's efficiency for instrumentation in low .

Multi-Line and Sport Kites

Multi-line kites, also known as kites or kites, utilize two or more control lines attached to handles or a bar, allowing pilots to execute precise aerial maneuvers including loops, axial rolls, and precision figures. These kites differ from single-line varieties by enabling dynamic control over pitch, yaw, and roll through differential tension on the lines, which alters the kite's and camber. Dual-line configurations predominate for entry-level sport flying, while quad-line setups provide enhanced precision for advanced routines. The dual-line sport kite originated with British inventor Peter Powell, who developed a steerable diamond-shaped kite in 1972 using two lines connected to the wingtips for directional control. Powell's design incorporated a flexible spine and an inflatable tail for stability, achieving peak production of 75,000 units per week in the before market saturation led to decline. This innovation shifted kite flying from passive drifting to active piloting, fostering the sport kite movement. Quad-line kites emerged later in the , building on dual-line principles with additional lines to the trailing edges for finer adjustments and 360-degree rotations. Design features emphasize maneuverability: high aspect ratios (typically 2.5:1 to 3:1) and short spines reduce rotational , enabling rapid flic-flacs and fades. Common shapes include deltas and hybrids with ram-air for profile maintenance during inverted flight, constructed from ripstop nylon sails over carbon fiber or spars. Line lengths range from 50 to 120 feet, with Spectra or Dyneema materials providing tensile strengths up to 350 pounds for high-wind performance. Competitive sport kite flying, governed by organizations like the American Kitefliers Association (AKA), includes individual , precision team events, and . The first official AKA stunt kite competition occurred in 1982 at the National Convention, won by Randy Tom in a single event format. Modern events feature judged routines to music, emphasizing synchronization in multi-kite teams, with wind speeds ideally 10-20 mph for optimal control. Safety protocols mandate helmets and protective gear due to line snap risks and high speeds exceeding 50 mph.

Power and Traction Kites

Power and traction kites, often referred to interchangeably, are large, controllable kites engineered to generate substantial aerodynamic pull for propelling users or vehicles across surfaces such as land, water, ice, or snow. Unlike recreational single-line kites, these designs prioritize force generation over aesthetic flight patterns, typically featuring bridles and lines that allow via body weight shifts or control bars. Their power derives from high aspect ratios and ram-air in modern variants, enabling pulls exceeding 1000 pounds in winds of 20-30 knots for larger models. Early precursors to modern power kites emerged in the 19th century, with British inventor George Pocock demonstrating traction potential in 1822 by harnessing pairs of arch-top kites to pull a at speeds up to 20 miles per hour across beaches, using a rudimentary of strings and sails. Significant advancements occurred in the with the Flexifoil, a two-line kite developed by Ray Merry and Andrew Jones in , which provided consistent pull for land-based activities and laid groundwork for traction sports. By the , inflatable leading-edge designs, pioneered for water relaunch capability, boosted reliability and power density, facilitating the rise of kitesurfing after the 1990s introduction of four-line depowerable systems by manufacturers like Naish and Cabrinha. These kites are classified by construction into ram-air foils, which fill with wind for lift without internal pressure, and leading-edge inflatable (LEI) types, which use rigid inflatable bladders for structure and self-righting on water. Sizes range from 2-5 square meters for beginners in light winds to 12-17 square meters for advanced traction in stronger gusts, with depowering mechanisms—such as adjustable bridles or sheeting lines—allowing pilots to reduce pull by up to 80% without stalling. Bridle configurations, often with multiple attachment points, optimize force vectors for directional control and stability, minimizing risks like dives or loops in turbulent conditions. Primary applications center on extreme sports, including kite buggying, where users in wheeled buggies reach speeds over 60 mph on flat terrain; landboarding or kite skating on skates or boards; and snowkiting, which leverages frozen surfaces for low-friction propulsion. On water, kitesurfing employs these kites to tow boards or skis, with participants achieving jumps exceeding 50 feet and speeds up to 50 knots in optimal winds. Emerging uses include kite towing for boats or paragliders, though regulatory restrictions in many regions limit non-sport applications due to hazards. Safety features are integral, given the potential for uncontrolled pulls leading to injuries or equipment failure; quick-release systems, such as chicken loops and kite killers, enable instant depowering or detachment, while padded control bars and impact vests mitigate collision risks. Leashes connect users to the kite but incorporate breakaways to prevent dragging, and pilots are advised to select kites matched to body weight and wind speeds—e.g., no more than 1.5 square meters per 100 pounds in 10-15 winds—to avoid overload. Despite advancements, incidents persist, underscoring the need for certified training, as evidenced by guidelines from organizations emphasizing progression from indoor trainers to open-field sessions.

Hybrid and Specialized Forms

![Cody manlifter.jpg][float-right] Hybrid kite designs integrate features from distinct kite categories to achieve enhanced performance characteristics. The delta-conyne kite merges the aerodynamic profile of a delta kite with the of a conyne box kite, resulting in improved stability and the ability to fly reliably in winds ranging from light to moderate. This configuration uses a triangular supported by a cellular frame, distributing lift more evenly than traditional flat kites. The dopero kite exemplifies another hybrid approach, combining the flat, high-aspect-ratio sail of traditional Asian designs with a double-frame structure inspired by parafoils, yielding a bird-like form that offers superior wind penetration and maneuverability while maintaining single-line control. Developed as a modern evolution, it balances lift and drag for recreational flying in varied conditions. Ram-air inflated single-line kites represent a technological hybrid, employing airfoil cells that inflate via dynamic air pressure—typically seen in multi-line traction kites—but operated via a single line for simpler recreational or utility applications. These designs, influenced by early patents like those of Francis Rogallo, provide substantial lift for tasks such as line laundry deployment without requiring complex controls. Specialized forms include man-lifting kites, engineered for human transport or observation. Historical records from , dating to the in the Book of Sui, describe large kites used to elevate individuals for military scouting or punishment, often employing tetrahedral configurations for stability. In the early 20th century, American inventor Samuel Cody constructed multi-kite trains capable of lifting observers up to 1,000 feet for British military trials, demonstrating lift capacities exceeding 200 pounds in steady winds. ![Train of connected kites][center] Kite trains constitute another specialized variant, comprising multiple interconnected kites to amplify visual impact or collective lift. Arch trains connect identical kites end-to-end along a shared line, forming elongated displays for festivals, while flo-kites or trains link in tandem for enhanced altitude retention. These assemblies, often using 10 to 60 units, require reinforced lines rated for 100 pounds or more to manage cumulative forces. Large-scale single-line ram-air kites, such as Peter Lynn's 90-foot octopus design launched in the 1980s, specialize in spectacle and engineering feats, utilizing inflatable cells for shape retention without internal framing, achieving flights visible from miles away.

Practical Applications

Meteorology and Scientific Instrumentation

Kites have served as platforms for meteorological observations since the mid-18th century, enabling the elevation of instruments to measure upper-air conditions such as , , and before the advent of radiosondes and . The earliest documented use occurred in 1749, when Alexander Wilson in attached thermometers to paper kites to record atmospheric temperatures aloft. By the late , systematic programs emerged, including William Ferrel's efforts at the U.S. Weather Bureau and Lawrence Harshberger's trains of up to 30 box kites at Blue Hill Observatory, which reached altitudes exceeding 5,000 feet (1,500 meters) to deploy meteorographs recording multiple variables on clockwork-driven charts. These trains, often comprising durable box or hexagonal designs, allowed for repeated ascents in varying winds, with piano wire lines extending several miles to withstand tensions up to 500 pounds. Meteorological kites facilitated the first routine upper-air soundings, contributing to foundational data on atmospheric stability and . In 1898, the U.S. Weather Bureau established a network of kite stations that operated until 1935, gathering over 100,000 ascents nationwide and revealing diurnal temperature variations and patterns previously unobserved at surface levels. Instruments like the Marvin meteorograph, developed by Charles F. Marvin in 1898, integrated barographs, thermographs, and hygrometers into compact packages weighing under 5 pounds, enabling profiles up to 10,000 feet (3,000 meters) in favorable conditions. Kite anemometry, employing the kite's equilibrium angle and line tension to infer and direction, provided measurements with resolutions down to seconds, outperforming ground-based cup anemometers in profiling vertical wind gradients. In contemporary atmospheric research, kites offer low-cost, reusable alternatives for boundary-layer profiling, particularly in remote or resource-limited settings, though superseded for routine global soundings by balloon-borne radiosondes since the 1930s. NASA's AEROKATS initiative, launched in the 2010s, deploys kites with miniaturized sensors to sample aerosols, , and dynamics up to 1,000 feet (300 meters), integrating GPS and for real-time data transmission during educational and research flights. Recent developments include inflatable kite systems targeting altitudes of 10,000 meters (32,800 feet) for localized wind profiling and forecasting, leveraging lightweight composites and automated winches to sustain flights in winds of 10-30 meters per second. In tropical marine environments, kite-lofted sensors have measured humidity gradients and circulations with vertical resolutions of 10 meters, demonstrating viability for validating numerical models where drone regulations restrict alternatives. These applications underscore kites' persistence for targeted, high-resolution observations, bounded by wind dependency and payload limits compared to powered platforms.

Aerial Photography and Surveillance

![Samuel Cody demonstrating a man-lifting kite for aerial observation][float-right] Kite originated in the late as a pioneering technique for capturing elevated images without manned flight. British meteorologist E. D. Archibald conducted initial experiments with kite-suspended cameras as early as 1882, marking one of the earliest attempts at this form of . French inventor Batut achieved the first verified success on May 25, 1888, by lifting a panoramic camera via kite over Labruguière, producing a of the village from approximately 50 meters altitude. American journalist advanced the method in 1895, employing multi-kite trains to photograph sites in and , including battlefield reconnaissance during the Spanish-American War. These early systems typically involved stabilizing cameras with clockwork timers or pneumatic triggers attached to lines of diamond or tetrahedral kites, enabling applications in mapping, , and . By the early 1900s, photographers like George Lawrence used large kite arrays to document disasters, such as the from heights exceeding 500 meters. Kite photography provided a cost-effective alternative to balloons, though limited by wind conditions and camera weight, often yielding oblique views rather than nadir perspectives. In surveillance contexts, facilitated elevated observation platforms for both photographic and human vantage points, predating powered . During the 1890s, military experiments, including Eddy's kite setups, produced the earliest images for tactical assessment. systems, such as those developed by Samuel Franklin Cody, elevated observers to 100-200 meters for spotting and troop movements, with trials conducted for the around 1904-1908. These configurations offered persistent, low-signature overwatch in eras without reliable aviation, though vulnerability to enemy fire and weather constrained deployment. Modern kite-based surveillance persists in niche, low-altitude roles, particularly where drone regulations or costs pose barriers. Systems like KiteCam integrate lightweight cameras with kites for real-time video monitoring in security and environmental applications, achieving altitudes up to 100 meters with minimal infrastructure. In resource-limited settings, kites support habitat mapping and species surveillance, leveraging their for stable, battery-independent operation over extended periods. Despite advantages in affordability and simplicity, kite systems yield lower resolution and control compared to unmanned aerial vehicles, restricting widespread adoption beyond specialized fieldwork.

Military and Tactical Uses

Kites have been employed in military contexts since ancient times, primarily for , signaling, and psychological operations. In ancient , kites facilitated by lifting observers to survey enemy positions and measure distances for , with records dating back over 2,000 years. They also served as signaling devices, carrying messages attached to the line during campaigns. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, man-lifting kite systems emerged for aerial observation, with British aviator Samuel Franklin Cody developing tethered kite trains capable of elevating personnel up to 1,000 feet for spotting artillery fire and enemy movements. In , multiple armies including British, French, Italian, and Russian forces operated dedicated kite units for enemy observation and , often using box kites that could be compactly stored aboard ships. German forces deployed folding box kite systems for similar man-lifting reconnaissance from naval vessels. In World War II, kites found defensive and training applications; the U.S. Navy utilized Harry Saul's barrage kites to deter low-altitude aircraft attacks by creating aerial barriers over ships and installations. Target kites, designed to mimic aircraft maneuvers like loops and dives, served as cost-effective practice for anti-aircraft gunners, with approximately 300,000 produced by war's end. The Gibson-Girl box kite was attached to emergency radios for downed pilots, elevating antennas to enable rescue signaling over greater distances. Modern tactical uses include low-cost surveillance alternatives to drones, particularly in forward operating bases where persistent aerial overwatch is needed without relying on fuel-intensive . In 2012, U.S. tests evaluated "battle kites" equipped with sensors for communications relay and persistent , offering advantages in wind-dependent environments over remote areas. Hybrid helikites, combining kite and balloon elements, have been deployed for stable aerial platforms carrying cameras in , deployable by small teams in austere conditions. These applications leverage kites' simplicity and tethering for real-time data without the logistical burdens of powered flight.

Energy Generation and Propulsion

Kites enable energy generation by harnessing high-altitude through () systems, where a tethered kite cycles between reeling out under wind force and retracting to capture converted to via ground-based generators or onboard . These systems access winds above 350 meters, where speeds are stronger and more persistent than at conventional turbine heights, potentially yielding higher power densities with lighter structures. configurations, in which kites fly perpendicular to the tether in figure-eight or looping patterns, amplify force through increased apparent , with theoretical models showing power outputs scaling with kite area and cubed. Early concepts for kite-based power emerged in the 1940s, with a foundational 1980 analysis quantifying potential from high-altitude winds, followed by patents like U.S. No. 3,987,987 in 1976 for systems. Commercial prototypes advanced in the 2000s; for instance, University researchers demonstrated a 10-square-meter kite generator in 2008, producing measurable output from altitudes exceeding traditional turbines. By December 2022, SkySails Power deployed the first fully autonomous commercial AWE unit, a 100-kilowatt pairing kite traction with a generator for portable baseload power. Kitepower's 2024 mobile setup delivers 400 kilowatts via a 250-square-meter kite and battery integration, tested for off-grid applications like remote . Despite these advances, remains limited by challenges in automated control, material durability, and regulatory approvals for airspace use, with most deployments under 1 megawatt and reliant on subsidies or pilots rather than . In propulsion applications, large traction kites provide auxiliary or primary thrust for marine vessels by deploying to 25-150 meters, where they capture steady winds to pull hulls forward, reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Systems like SkySails Marine, proven on cargo ships since the 2010s, automate kite launch, steering via software-controlled reels, and achieve fuel savings of 10-35% depending on vessel size and wind conditions, with one retrofit on a 10,000-tonne bulk carrier yielding 20% daily reductions. Beyond the Sea's SeaKite and LibertyKite variants, operational on yachts up to 60 feet, enable speeds to 8 knots while minimizing crew input through self-stabilizing designs. Kite-boat systems from Wingit and Oceanergy extend to commercial shipping, with the K1 model designed for main propulsion on lighter vessels, though adoption lags due to integration costs, variable wind dependency, and safety protocols for tether management in congested sea lanes. Empirical trials confirm causal efficiency gains from kite area and altitude but highlight intermittency risks, as propulsion drops in low winds or requires hybrid engines for reliability.

Transportation and Lifting

Kites have been employed for human lifting since at least the in , where records in the Book of Sui describe their use for executing prisoners by suspending them aloft, as well as for military reconnaissance and forced labor such as carrying construction materials to pagoda heights. These early applications leveraged large, stable kite designs capable of supporting human weight in steady winds, though control and safety were rudimentary, often resulting in fatalities from falls or prolonged exposure. In the 19th century, British inventor George Pocock advanced man-lifting techniques, using multi-kite trains to elevate observers to cliff tops for surveying and, in 1825, to lift his daughter aloft as an early recorded human kite flight. Pocock's designs emphasized bridle systems for stability, achieving altitudes sufficient for visual reconnaissance without powered assistance. Military interest peaked during , with systems like Samuel F. Perkins' tandem kites—employing a lead kite for wind gauging followed by lift-adding units—deployed for aerial observation from trenches, reaching heights of several hundred feet to spot enemy positions. Similarly, Samuel Cody's man-lifting kites, tested for the around 1904, supported observers up to 1,000 feet for signaling and scouting, though adoption waned with the advent of aircraft. For transportation, Pocock pioneered kite-propelled vehicles in the with the char-volant, a buggy drawn by two large kites harnessing wind forces to achieve speeds of up to 20 miles per hour and distances over 100 miles, marketed as an alternative to horse-drawn carriages. This system relied on kite control via strings to steer and adjust power, demonstrating via aerodynamic lift and drag in variable winds. Modern iterations extend to , where automated giant kites like Airseas' Seawing—spanning up to 1,000 square meters and deployed 300 meters above the sea—tow cargo ships, reducing fuel consumption by 20-50% through wind augmentation of . Trials on transatlantic routes, such as between and the , have validated this for bulk carriers, with automated flight controls optimizing altitude and direction for consistent . Cargo lifting via kites remains niche, historically noted in 13th-century for hoisting bricks during tower , but lacks widespread modern vertical applications due to reliability issues in gusty conditions compared to cranes. Overall, while innovative for wind-dependent scenarios, kite-based lifting and transportation have been supplanted by powered machinery for precision and safety, though recent environmental imperatives revive propulsion uses.

Cultural and Recreational Roles

Traditional Practices in Asia

Kites originated in during the (475–221 BCE), initially constructed from wood in the shape of birds for military applications such as signaling and measuring distances for tunneling operations. The earliest documented use dates to around 200 BCE, when General of the reportedly flew a kite over city walls to determine the length of a tunnel for a surprise attack. Over time, these evolved into recreational and cultural items made from frames covered in or paper, often decorated with motifs of dragons, phoenixes, or centipedes symbolizing power and good fortune, and were flown during festivals like Qingming (April 4–5) to commemorate ancestors or during the Chung Yeung Festival in regions like to dispel illness by releasing kites into the wind. In , kite flying became embedded in seasonal harvest festivals, particularly (January 14–15), known as Uttarayan in , where communities engage in competitive battles using manja—abrasive strings coated with glass powder—to sever opponents' lines, a practice with roots exceeding 2,000 years tied to beliefs that soaring kites bring one closer to the divine and ward off evil. Similar traditions occur during Basant Panchami in and Baisakhi, emphasizing communal skyward displays as symbols of renewal. 's annual International Kite Festival draws thousands, featuring kites up to 30 feet wide launched from rooftops, blending artistry with sport. Japanese traditions emphasize large, hexagonal rokkaku kites designed for aerial combat, flown during events like the in May, where up to 174 massive kites—some spanning 30 feet—are pitted against each other in battles overseen by neighborhood teams, originating from rituals to appease gods for bountiful harvests and child health. The Sagami Giant Kite Festival similarly deploys enormous kites weighing over 1,000 pounds, pulled by teams of dozens, reflecting Edo-period (1603–1868) customs of warding off misfortune. These practices underscore kites' role in Shinto-inspired ceremonies, with designs often featuring or mythical figures. Across , traditions vary: in , wau bulan kites—crescent-shaped with elaborate floral and animal patterns formed from layered paper and foil over — are flown post-harvest to express gratitude, their undulating flight mimicking birds. In Indonesia's Bali, oversized bebean kites up to 40 feet long serve ceremonial purposes in village competitions, symbolizing offerings to deities for . Vietnamese practices include fighting kites during Tet celebrations, echoing regional emphases on competition and spiritual elevation. These customs, disseminated via ancient trade routes, highlight kites' enduring utility in fostering community, invoking prosperity, and testing craftsmanship against natural winds.

European and Polynesian Traditions

In Europe, kite flying was introduced around 1295 through accounts brought by from his travels in , though unambiguous depictions did not appear in print until the in and . By the 14th and 15th centuries, the practice had spread across the continent, with references in works by explorers like and natural philosophers such as Giovanni Della Porta, as well as in William Shakespeare's writings, indicating recreational and observational uses among sailors and intellectuals. Early European kites often resembled pennons or lozenge shapes, serving primarily as novelties for children and experimenters rather than deeply embedded cultural rituals, with limited integration into compared to Asian traditions. Polynesian kite traditions, particularly among the Māori of New Zealand, featured manu tukutuku or manu aute—bird-inspired constructs made from wood frames, flax or bark coverings, and natural decorations like feathers—used for recreation, signaling messages over distances, and divination to interpret omens from flight patterns. These kites held spiritual significance, often crafted by priests (tohunga) as sacred objects mimicking birds, with some designs incorporating human-like heads carved from wood and shell eyes, symbolizing connections to ancestors or the natural world; they were flown during rituals to invoke gods or communicate with the deceased. Historical examples, such as those preserved in museums, demonstrate their role in both ceremonial and playful contexts, with the act of launching (tukutuku, or "winding out the line") evoking the ascent of birds, though the practice waned under colonial influences before revival efforts in the 20th century. European traditions evolved toward communal festivals by the 19th century, as seen in seaside gatherings and children's pastimes depicted in art, but lacked the ritual depth of Polynesian uses, focusing instead on empirical experimentation that foreshadowed scientific applications like meteorology. In contrast, Polynesian kites emphasized communal and mystical elements, with evidence from pre-colonial artifacts indicating their antiquity independent of Asian influences, underscoring regional adaptations to wind and cultural symbolism.

Modern Sports and Festivals

Modern kite sports include precision flying with dual-line stunt kites, where competitors perform choreographed routines and maneuvers judged on accuracy, timing, and synchronization to music. The American Kitefliers Association (AKA) sanctions events featuring individual, pairs, and team competitions in categories such as , precision figures, and power flying, with standardized rules for judging based on technical execution and artistic expression. International sport kite figures, established by bodies like Drachen Foundation, provide a global standard for compulsory and free-style sequences used in competitions worldwide. Traction kites enable high-adrenaline sports like , which emerged in the 1990s from prototypes developed by inventors such as the Legaignoux brothers in , who patented inflatable kites in 1984. Kiteboarding competitions encompass freestyle tricks, wave riding, , and big air events, with notable series including the Global Kitesurfing Association (GKA) World Cup and King of the Air, first held in 2000 at Maui's Ho'okipa beach. The sport achieved Olympic recognition in 2018 for the Paris 2024 Games under the Formula Kite discipline, highlighting speeds exceeding 55 knots in formats. Annual kite festivals worldwide integrate competitive sports with public displays, fostering community engagement and innovation in kite design. The Weifang International Kite Festival in China, inaugurated in 1984, draws artisans and flyers from dozens of countries for competitions in kite making, aerial choreography, and largest kite lifts, coinciding with spring winds ideal for mass launches. In the United States, the Washington State International Kite Festival, organized annually since 1999 by the World Kite Museum, features sport kite ballets, fighter kite battles, and educational workshops, attracting over 100,000 visitors to Long Beach beaches. Events like the LBI Invitational Kite Festival in New Jersey, held October 10-11, 2025, emphasize invited expert demonstrations and novice competitions, promoting safety and skill-building.

Artistic and Symbolic Uses

Kites hold symbolic significance across cultures, often embodying aspirations toward the divine or transcendence of earthly bounds. In Balinese Hinduism, elaborate kites flown during ceremonies like Galungan represent offerings to gods, bridging the mortal realm and spiritual heavens to express gratitude for prosperity and fertility. Polynesian traditions similarly employ kites to honor deities and conduct divination, viewing them as intermediaries carrying prayers skyward. In Greece, the Clean Monday custom of kite flying symbolizes spiritual elevation and purification, aligning with Lenten observances to aspire toward divine connection. As artistic creations, kites feature intricate craftsmanship reflecting cultural motifs and legends. Chinese kites, originating in the (475–221 BCE) and peaking artistically during the (1368–1644 CE), depict mythological figures, zodiac animals, dragons, and auspicious symbols on or paper frames, serving as portable forms flown in festivals for warding off misfortune. Japanese kites, introduced from China in the and refined in the (1603–1868), incorporate ukiyo-e-inspired designs of warriors and geometric patterns in shapes like rokkaku or ika, blending functionality with aesthetic expression tied to historical narratives. Visual arts have long captured kite flying as a motif of leisure and ingenuity. depicts children engaged in kite play during Japan's era, highlighting kites as symbols of youthful pastime amid urban life. Francisco Goya's 1777 tapestry cartoon La Cometa portrays a festive scene of kite flying in , emphasizing communal joy and light-hearted recreation. These representations underscore kites' enduring role in evoking freedom and human curiosity across epochs.

Safety Considerations and Risks

Operational Hazards and Mitigation

Kites pose operational risks primarily through entanglement with overhead power lines, which can conduct via conductive strings or wet lines, resulting in or severe burns to the flyer attempting retrieval. Utility providers report frequent incidents, such as 154 power outages in from January to July 2023 attributed to kite strings snagging distribution lines. Aviation conflicts arise when kites exceed 150 feet (46 meters) in altitude without shielding or notification, potentially interfering with aircraft; U.S. regulations mandate 24-hour prior notice to for such operations and prohibit flights within without authorization. Strong winds amplify hazards, as gusts exceeding 25 miles per hour (40 km/h) can generate pulls sufficient to lift or drag the operator, particularly with large or kites, leading to falls or line abrasion injuries. Mitigation begins with site selection: fly in wide, open spaces at least 100 feet (30 meters) from power lines, roads, buildings, trees, and crowds to minimize entanglement and impact risks. Use non-conductive lines made of , , , or Dacron, avoiding metal, wire, or , which heighten potential. For wind management, monitor forecasts and limit sessions to steady breezes within the kite's rated range—typically 5-25 mph (8-40 km/h) for standard designs—ceasing operations in gusts or approaching storms to prevent uncontrolled pulls or strikes. Wear protective gloves when handling high-pull lines from sizable kites to guard against friction burns, and position spectators behind the flyer to avoid overhead strikes. Regulatory compliance enhances safety: operators of kites over 5 pounds (2.3 kg) or exceeding 500 feet (152 meters) in tether length must adhere to FAA Part 101, including prohibitions near without clearance. In recreational contexts, organizations like the American Kitefliers Association recommend pre-flight checks for line integrity and kite stability, alongside never flying over people or vehicles. If a kite lodges in power lines, do not attempt retrieval; contact utility emergency services immediately to avoid live-wire contact. These measures, drawn from and utility safety protocols, substantially reduce incident likelihood when consistently applied.

Injuries from Abrasive Strings

Abrasive kite strings, commonly referred to as manjha in , are coated with powdered , metal fragments, or other sharp abrasives to enable kite fighting, where lines sever opponents' strings. These coatings transform ordinary threads into razor-like hazards capable of slicing through flesh at high velocities, particularly when kites maneuver erratically or strings drift across paths. Contact occurs via entanglement with moving vehicles, falls during retrieval, or incidental crossings by pedestrians, amplifying injury severity due to the string's tensile strength and abrasive edge. Injuries typically manifest as deep lacerations to exposed areas like the , face, hands, and limbs, with potential for vascular, neural, or airway compromise. wounds predominate, ranging from superficial cuts to near-decapitation or throat-slitting, as documented in forensic analyses of festival-related cases in northern . Hand injuries often involve severance requiring surgical repair, while rare but severe cases include Achilles ruptures from lower-leg contact during ground pursuits. Children and motorcyclists face heightened risks; pediatric cervical injuries correlate with string speed, potentially leading to spinal damage, while riders experience partial decapitations from low-hanging lines. Epidemiological data reveal a seasonal surge during kite festivals like in and Basant in , with dozens of fatalities and hundreds of injuries reported annually across . In , approximately 450 deaths occurred over a decade ending around 2007, predominantly among youth. recorded three throat-slitting fatalities in a single day in August 2016, including a 4-year-old peering from a window. A January 2025 incident in , , involved a 21-year-old motorcyclist killed by "Chinese manjha" severing his throat and . Such events underscore the lethality of even brief exposures, with survival hinging on prompt vascular control and management. Regulatory responses include bans on abrasive strings in regions like , , following four deaths and 14 injuries over three years pre-2016, and ongoing enforcement in against metallic reels. Despite these, clandestine production persists, sustaining burdens through emergency admissions for , suturing, and reconstruction.

Environmental Impacts and Wildlife Concerns

Kite strings, particularly those coated with glass or abrasive materials known as manjha used in competitive kite fighting, pose significant risks to avian wildlife through entanglement and lacerations. During festivals such as in , where millions of kites are flown simultaneously, birds including pigeons, black kites (Milvus migrans), and frequently collide with or become snared in these invisible lines, leading to wing injuries, severed limbs, or immediate death from strangulation. In urban areas like , rescue operations have documented over 23,000 birds treated for such injuries since 2003, with survival rates often below 50% due to infection or blood loss. Abandoned strings draped over trees, power lines, or rooftops exacerbate long-term hazards, as birds perch and entangle months after events, amplifying cumulative mortality across migratory and resident populations. Beyond direct trauma, kite materials contribute to broader through litter and non-biodegradable waste. Plastic tails, mylar envelopes, and synthetic strings from discarded or crashed kites accumulate on beaches, parks, and open fields, where they fragment into that persist in soil and waterways. In regions with high kite-flying activity, such as coastal areas in and , this debris entangles or is ingested by foraging birds and mammals, mimicking sources and causing internal blockages. Non-decomposing synthetic threads from manjha further pollute ecosystems, resisting breakdown for years and releasing toxins as they weather. efforts, including bans on glass-coated strings in some Indian states since 2017, have reduced incidents but enforcement remains inconsistent, with illegal use persisting during peak seasons. While recreational kite flying emits no direct emissions akin to motorized activities, its indirect arises from manufacturing synthetic fabrics like and , which rely on petroleum-derived processes contributing to upstream carbon emissions. Large-scale events can also disturb habitats temporarily, flushing shorebirds from roosting sites due to and aerial activity, though empirical data on population-level effects remains limited outside contexts. Overall, these concerns underscore the need for biodegradable alternatives and responsible disposal to minimize harm without curtailing cultural practices.

Records and Innovations

Largest and Longest-Flight Achievements

The largest kite flown by total lifting area is "The ," an inflated flag-style single-line kite measuring 1,250 m², constructed and flown by the Al-Farsi Kite Display Team from . Successfully launched in Berck-sur-Mer, , in April 2018, it required pilot kites for initial lift and a team to manage its flight. The longest kite ever flown is "The Cracken," measuring 1,034.45 m in length and weighing 106 kg, created and flown by Michel Trouillet in , , on 18 November 1990. In terms of flight duration, the record for the longest continuous kite flight by a stands at 180 hours and 17 minutes, achieved by the team using kites at , USA, from 21 to 29 August 1982. For altitude, the highest flight by a single kite reached 4,879.54 m (16,009 ft), set by Robert Moore with a delta kite in , , , on 23 2014. A historical train-of-kites record of 9,740 m (31,955 ft) was attained using eight box kites over Lindenberg, , on 1 1919, by the Prussian Meteorological Institute.

Technological Breakthroughs and Patents

In the late , Australian inventor developed the box kite in 1893, a cellular design consisting of multiple open-ended boxes connected by a frame, which provided unprecedented stability and lift capacity compared to earlier flat kites. This breakthrough enabled practical applications like lifting cameras and instruments, influencing early aeronautical research. Hargrave's configuration demonstrated that rigid, multi-cell structures could harness wind more efficiently for sustained flight. Building on this, American-born inventor Samuel Franklin Cody patented a winged variant of the box kite in 1901, known as the Cody kite or War Kite, which incorporated curved wings to enhance lift for manned observation. Cody's design achieved manned flights up to 1,200 feet, serving military purposes such as spotting during the Second Boer War and later in for anti-submarine patrols. The emphasized scalability and control through adjustments, marking a shift toward kites as viable aerial platforms. Post-World War II advancements included Francis Rogallo's 1948 flexi-wing kite, a fully flexible structure without rigid spars that relied on fabric tension for shape, patented as a precursor to modern paragliders and delta wings. This allowed for compact storage and dynamic flight characteristics, facilitating developments in recreational and experimental . Rogallo's work stemmed from glider research, proving that lift could be achieved via wind-inflated membranes. A pivotal modern breakthrough was Domina Jalbert's parafoil kite, patented in 1966 as a multi-cell wing-type aerial device with ram-air inflation through leading-edge vents, creating an without internal framing. Introduced in the 1960s, the offered superior power and steerability, enabling traction sports like and large-scale inflatable designs. Jalbert's invention, tested in massive prototypes requiring tethering, revolutionized kite efficiency by mimicking ram-air parachutes for sustained, high-force generation.

References

  1. https://www.grc.nasa.gov/www/k-12/airplane/kiteaero.html
  2. https://www1.grc.nasa.gov/beginners-guide-to-aeronautics/four-forces-on-a-kite/
  3. https://airandspace.si.edu/stories/editorial/how-kites-fly
  4. https://airandspace.si.edu/stories/editorial/conserving-chinese-kites
  5. https://blogs.loc.gov/folklife/2017/03/kites-rise-on-the-wind/
  6. https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/sports-and-leisure/kites
  7. https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/Aero_p008/aerodynamics-hydrodynamics/kites-wright-brothers
  8. https://scitechmag.com/2024/10/kites-in-advancing-science-experiments/
  9. https://www.batchelors.net/kites-in-the-classroom?view=article&id=7:the-technological-impact-of-kites&catid=5
  10. https://sites.resa.net/aerokats/technology/
  11. https://www.grc.nasa.gov/www/k-12/VirtualAero/BottleRocket/airplane/bernnew.html
  12. https://www.grc.nasa.gov/www/k-12/airplane/kitefor.html
  13. http://web.mit.edu/blossoms/sites/default/files/video/transcript/Physics-of-Kite-Transcript.pdf
  14. https://wes.copernicus.org/articles/4/1/2019/wes-4-1-2019.pdf
  15. https://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/airplane/kitestab.html
  16. https://www.sciencefriday.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Kite-Engineering-with-Calculations.pdf
  17. https://drachenkite.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/WhatIsDihedral.pdf
  18. https://kites.aerialis.com/how-to-kap-lesson-3-improving-kite-stability/
  19. https://www.kite.org/about-kites/what-is-a-kite/
  20. https://www.kite.org/about-kites/how-do-kites-fly/
  21. https://ir.canterbury.ac.nz/bitstream/handle/10092/7688/stevenson_thesis.pdf
  22. https://oa.upm.es/35852/1/INVE_MEM_2014_191417.pdf
  23. https://word.baidu.com/view/3cc49afaf211f18583d049649b6648d7c0c7081b.html
  24. https://airandspace.si.edu/explore/stories/flight-airplane
  25. https://www.intrans.iastate.edu/news/an-abbreviated-history-of-flight/
  26. https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/culture/kites.htm
  27. http://en.chinaculture.org/2014-12/30/content_589624.htm
  28. https://www.grc.nasa.gov/www/k-12/UEET/StudentSite/historyofflight.html
  29. https://www.kite.org/about-kites/history-of-kites/
  30. https://www.britannica.com/topic/kite-aeronautics
  31. http://best-breezes.squarespace.com/william-abner-eddy/
  32. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hargrave-box-kite
  33. https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/lawrence-hargraves-first-flight
  34. https://www.lawrencehargrave.org/index.php/inventions/cellular-box-kites
  35. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/online-exhibitions/rfc_centenary/british-military-aviation-1862-1912/kiting/
  36. https://generalist.academy/2022/05/09/man-lifting-war-kites/
  37. https://www.my-best-kite.com/history-of-stunt-kites.html
  38. http://www.deltakites.com/history.html
  39. https://kiteflyinginfo.com/the-fascinating-history-of-kites/
  40. https://kitelife.com/1999/06/01/issue-9-sportkite-history/
  41. https://www.my-best-kite.com/history-of-kites.html
  42. https://www.foxweather.com/lifestyle/kites-wwii-war-science-weather-first-flight-history-spring
  43. https://www1.grc.nasa.gov/beginners-guide-to-aeronautics/aircraft-flown-as-a-kite/
  44. https://www.kiteman.co.uk/images/sampledata/documents/Golden-Age.pdf
  45. https://www.reddit.com/r/Kiteboarding/comments/wjzpma/is_there_any_difference_in_kite_technology_during/
  46. https://prismkites.com/pages/our-story
  47. https://www.seabreeze.com.au/Articles/Kitesurfing/Kite-Innovations-from-C-to-Bow-to-Hybrid-to_4388923.aspx
  48. https://www.srilankakiteschool.com/blog/the-evolution-of-kitesurfing
  49. https://www.xola.com/articles/kite-surfing-statistics-overview-trends/
  50. https://kitevoodoo.com/the-history-of-kitesurfing-from-its-origins-to-modern-day/
  51. https://flysurfer.com/2024/09/woo-worlds-record-jump/
  52. https://www.surfertoday.com/kiteboarding/jake-scrace-guinness-world-record
  53. https://www.theinertia.com/video/kite-surfer-jake-scrace-world-record/
  54. https://thekitepower.com/
  55. https://thekitepower.com/rwe-and-kitepower-deliver-new-test-site-for-airborne-wind-in-ireland/
  56. https://www.renewableenergymagazine.com/wind/demawe-project-concludes-bringing-kitepower-step-closer-20250811
  57. https://skysails-power.com/skysails-presents-kyo-first-450-kw-airborne-wind-turbine-can-deliver-clean-power-where-other-technologies-fail/
  58. https://spectrum.ieee.org/micro-wind-power-kitepower
  59. https://cbse.ck12.org/user:eff5cc847a1e/cbook/applied-physics-kites/section/1.0/primary/lesson/kite-parts/
  60. https://www.my-best-kite.com/kite-parts.html
  61. https://www.my-best-kite.com/how-to-build-a-diamond-kite-s.html
  62. https://www.grc.nasa.gov/www/k-12/airplane/kitepart.html
  63. https://drachenkite.com/kite-building/
  64. https://www.kitebuilder.org/topics/644
  65. https://www.my-best-kite.com/kite-paper.html
  66. https://intothewind.com/75-oz-ripstop-nylon-white.html
  67. https://www.tvfinc.com/article/what-is-ripstop-fabric/
  68. https://kapforum.org/discussion/discussion/1667/recommendations-for-places-for-and-kinds-of-replacement-kite-spars
  69. https://www.my-best-kite.com/fiberglass-rods.html
  70. https://kitelife.com/forum/topic/13431-carbon-fiber-spars/
  71. https://kitebuilder.com/techsheets/kitesquid_ripstop_nylon_tech.html
  72. https://www.my-best-kite.com/types-of-kites.html
  73. https://www.kitemana.com/en-us/info/blog/kite-design-basics-1219
  74. https://www.my-best-kite.com/history-of-box-kites.html
  75. https://www.lawrencehargrave.org/index.php/lawrence-hargrave/box-kites
  76. http://kitehistory.com/Miscellaneous/Hargrave.htm
  77. https://antofthy.gitlab.io/kites/tetra/variations/
  78. https://www.kite.org/about-kites/how-to-fly-a-kite/
  79. https://blog.kittyhawk.com/adventure/kite-flying/beginners-guide-to-kites/
  80. https://www.kite.org/about-kites/kinds-of-kites/
  81. https://www.kite.org/about-kites/kinds-of-kites/single-line-kites-by-shape/
  82. https://intothewind.com/faq/single-line-kites
  83. http://www.iannewham.com/kitedesign/design.html
  84. https://www.kiteguys.ca/sport-kites-introduction-to-stunt-kites/
  85. https://www.peterpowellkites.com/index.php/heritage/
  86. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-39258851
  87. https://johnbarresi.com/what-kites-to-fly/
  88. https://www.kite.org/event-calendar/competitions/
  89. https://kitelife.com/2012/04/23/history-of-sport-kite-competition-pt-1/
  90. https://www.kite.org/about-kites/kinds-of-kites/multi-line-kites-by-purpose/
  91. https://blog.kittyhawk.com/kitty-hawk-kites/learn-to-fly-a-stunt-kite/
  92. https://www.kite.org/about-kites/kinds-of-kites/power-kites/
  93. https://www.coastalwindsports.com/ChoosingAKite.html
  94. https://www.my-best-kite.com/history-of-power-kites.html
  95. https://kitepreneur.com/history-of-kitesurfing/
  96. https://www.my-best-kite.com/power-kites.html
  97. https://www.kiteplans.org/planos/dconyne/dconyne.html
  98. https://www.miraclekite.pp.ua/kite-plan/frame-kite/dopero-kite
  99. https://www.windpowersports.com/kites/single/
  100. https://rarehistoricalphotos.com/vintage-man-lifting-kites/
  101. https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/man-lifting-kites-cody
  102. https://www.my-best-kite.com/kite-train.html
  103. https://journals.ametsoc.org/view/journals/bams/73/1/1520-0477_1992_073_0017_arukhw_2_0_co_2.pdf
  104. https://www.weather.gov/upperair/reqdahdr
  105. http://www.kitehistory.com/Miscellaneous/meteorological_kites.htm
  106. https://vlab.noaa.gov/web/nws-heritage/-/flying-kites-for-science
  107. https://headfullofair.com/post/kite-anemometers/
  108. https://journals.ametsoc.org/view/journals/bams/105/10/BAMS-D-20-0242.1.xml
  109. https://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/items/ff9162df-1571-483b-b8b9-b36e3dd6c634
  110. https://rmets.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1017/S1350482797000431
  111. http://www.geospectra.net/kite/history/history.htm
  112. https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/760731-first-aerial-photograph-by-kite
  113. https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-archive/kite-aerial-photography-william-eddy/sova-nasm-xxxx-0752
  114. https://www.npr.org/sections/pictureshow/2014/01/15/260152557/before-drone-cameras-kite-cameras
  115. https://www.history.com/articles/aerial-surveillance-spy-devices
  116. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9278918/
  117. https://www.coraltrianglecenter.org/2016/08/06/kites-and-drones-as-tools-for-environmental-monitoring/
  118. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/300098890_A_21st-century_renaissance_of_kites_as_platforms_for_proximal_sensing
  119. http://kitehistory.com/Miscellaneous/Warkites.htm
  120. https://www.defenseone.com/defense-systems/2012/05/battle-kites-latest-in-fixed-aerial-surveillance-concepts/191829/
  121. http://best-breezes.squarespace.com/journal/2012/5/22/helikite-a-modern-improvement-on-the-kytoon.html
  122. https://terra-ignota.net/2023/09/17/kites-soaring-through-myths-history-science-and-art-research/
  123. https://skysails-power.com/how-power-kites-work/
  124. https://www.kitemill.com/
  125. https://wind-works.org/wind/small-wind/kites-and-airborne-wind/
  126. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2008/aug/03/renewableenergy.energy
  127. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214629624000380
  128. https://www.kite-boat.com/en/
  129. https://skysails-marine.com/
  130. https://beyond-the-sea.com/en/
  131. https://www.oceanergy.com/technology-kite-propulsion-systems-ships/
  132. https://www.cargo-partner.com/trendletter/issue-10/sails-and-kites-support-cargo-ships
  133. https://www.thevintagenews.com/2016/11/01/kites-have-a-strange-history-including-being-used-in-executions-by-emperors/
  134. https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/29103
  135. https://www.princeton.edu/~maelabs/hpt/his/kites.htm
  136. https://mashable.com/feature/man-kites
  137. https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/760249-first-kite-powered-vehicle
  138. https://recollections.biz/blog/the-charvolant-regency-kite-buggy/
  139. https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/30/travel/airseas-giant-kites-ships-slash-carbon-emissions-scn-climate-spc
  140. https://airseas.com/en/seawing-system/
  141. https://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/2023/07/01/giant-kites-pulling-cargo-ships/
  142. https://www.quora.com/If-man-lifting-kites-were-used-as-early-as-636-AD-in-China-why-was-the-concept-of-a-flying-machine-i-e-plane-considered-by-most-people-to-be-inconceiveable-until-the-Wright-Brothers
  143. https://nationalkitemonth.org/kite-history-overview/kite-history/
  144. https://www.idcpc.org.cn/english2023/chinadelights/arts/crafts/202307/t20230727_157731.html
  145. http://www.sahapedia.org/history-kite-flying-india
  146. https://utsav.gov.in/view-event/kite-festival-2
  147. https://www.holidify.com/pages/kite-festivals-in-india-432.html
  148. https://www.japan.travel/en/spot/2043/
  149. https://www.yoursecretjapan.com/articles/the-tradition-of-kites-in-japan
  150. https://morikami.org/archives/catching-air-kites-of-japan/
  151. https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-04-03/The-art-and-tradition-of-kite-flying-around-the-world-1CgMRyGntni/p.html
  152. https://www.my-best-kite.com/asian-kites.html
  153. https://pearlriver.com/blogs/blog/kites-in-asian-cultures-six-thing-you-might-not-know
  154. https://wokipi-kite.com/Decouverte/kite.html
  155. https://drachenkite.com/kite-history/
  156. https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/E_Oc1843-0710-11
  157. https://art-newzealand.com/3-kites/
  158. https://my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/maori-te-manu-tukutuku/
  159. https://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/topic/3482
  160. https://quadkites.org/en/competitions
  161. https://elitewatersports.com/blogs/beginner-information/the-history-of-kitesurfing
  162. https://www.redbull.com/us-en/history-and-legends-red-bull-king-of-the-air
  163. https://addictkiteschool.com/en/history-of-kitesurfing/
  164. https://www.travelandleisureasia.com/in/web-stories/destinations/kite-festivals-to-attend-around-the-world/
  165. https://www.worldkitemuseum.com/
  166. https://lbifly.com/
  167. https://www.exoticvoyages.com/blog/bali-kite-a-spiritual-symbol-of-balinese-culture-35839.html
  168. https://greeklearninghub.com/clean-monday-and-the-kite-tradition/
  169. https://www.dailyartmagazine.com/flying-objects-in-art-kites/
  170. https://kua.com/blog/kite-flying-safety-5-important-rules/
  171. https://www.kite.org/about-kites/kite-safety/
  172. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-F/part-101
  173. https://kiteloft.com/about/resources/safety-tips/
  174. https://www.countytimes.co.uk/news/17841337.power-networks-kites-warning-potentially-fatal-incidents/
  175. https://www.grc.nasa.gov/www/k-12/airplane/kitesafe.html
  176. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3109398/
  177. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5506359/
  178. https://journals.lww.com/aohn/fulltext/2022/06010/kite_string_injury_to_the_head_and_neck_region__a.1.aspx
  179. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12527049/
  180. https://www.cureus.com/articles/404318-deadly-threads-in-the-sky-a-forensic-and-public-health-analysis-of-kite-string-related-injuries-and-fatalities-in-northern-india.pdf
  181. https://www.jfasap.com/doi/10.5005/jp-journals-10040-1037
  182. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/00258172251325093
  183. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1752928X07001102
  184. https://www.cnn.com/2016/08/17/asia/india-kite-deaths
  185. https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/meerut-biker-chinese-manjha-kite-string-death-uttar-pradesh-2660882-2025-01-07
  186. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-37115032
  187. https://www.pjph.org/pjph/article/view/1658
  188. https://impactfactor.org/PDF/IJPCR/16/IJPCR%2CVol16%2CIssue7%2CArticle107.pdf
  189. https://india.mongabay.com/2019/01/a-sky-full-of-kites-becomes-a-death-trap-for-birds/
  190. https://news.wildlifesos.org/manjha-menace-bird-injuries-on-the-rise-due-to-kite-flying/
  191. https://thebetterindia.com/484809/delhi-brothers-rescue-23000-injured-birds-kite-strings/
  192. https://www.indiawilds.com/diary/kite-flying-impact-on-birds/
  193. https://shopeverbeam.com/blogs/news/7-tips-for-managing-waste-while-kite-flying-simple-steps-for-an-eco-friendly-experience?srsltid=AfmBOoretZ3KhTfSOGlDPvFZL3ZlrvVK1Uu9LcbTpQPa8JSQ_b3K_75d
  194. https://news.wildlifesos.org/flying-high-cutting-deep-the-risks-of-using-chinese-manjha/
  195. https://www.berito.nl/blog/the-environmental-impact-of-kitesurfing-gear
  196. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09640568.2023.2228475
  197. https://www.my-best-kite.com/giant-kites.html
  198. https://www.surfertoday.com/kiteboarding/a-brief-history-of-recent-large-kites
  199. https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/67157-longest-kite-flown
  200. https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/68037-longest-kite-flight-team
  201. https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/highest-altitude-by-a-single-kite
  202. https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/68043-kite-flying-highest-altitude-with-8-kites
  203. https://simanaitissays.com/2014/12/15/samuel-f-cody-a-life-well-crafted/
  204. https://kitekits.com/blogs/kites-in-the-sky-blog/a-salute-to-box-kites
  205. https://ingeniumcanada.org/channel/articles/imagination-is-the-highest-kite-one-can-fly-the-life-and-times-of-a-master-of-0
  206. https://www.sun-sentinel.com/1985/01/27/invention-becomes-kite-craze/
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
Contribute something
User Avatar
No comments yet.