What Children’s Toy Has the Following Facts in Common?
Is the Subject of Many Poems,legends, and Folk Tales? Originated in China Over 3000 Years Ago? Has Been Used to Propel Boats,carriages, Sleds,and Even Ice Skaters? Is a Traditional New Year’s Gift for Japanese Children? Helped to Make Gugliemo Marconi,Alexander Graham Bell, the Wright Brothers and Benjamin
The Kite!
• In the 1400’s Leonardo da Vinci used a kite to span a river.This technique was later used in the construction of the suspension bridge at Niagara falls new York. • Benjamin Franklin used kites to pull boats carriages and sleds while experimenting with traction along with his experiments with electrical activity in the earth’s atmosphere. • In 1901 Gugliemo Marconi used a kite to help him transmit the first trans-Atlantic wireless message.
The History of the Kite
• 400 BC.Chinese kite makers begin to make bird shaped kites.
The History of the Kite
• 100 ad. Kites begin to be used in KOREA and Japan.
The History of the Kite
• 105ad. Romans begin to use kites in the form of wind socks as military banners.
The History of the Kite
• 1295AD Marco polo returns from china and introduces the kite to Europe.
The History of the Kite
• 1700’s kites were used to lift thermometers 3000ft in the air to measure temperature variations at various levels.
The History of the Kite
• 1804 George Vaykey developed the heavier than air flying glider which he created be studying and modifying kites.
The History of the Kite
• 1906 a kite was used to take aerial photographs of the damage caused during the San Francisco earthquake.
Kite Timeline Cont.
• 1907 dr. Alexander graham bell flew a man with a kite made up of over 3,000 tetrahedral cells. • 1919 A German flew a kite to an altitude of 31,955 ft. • 1969 US high school sets world kite altitude record by using a 19 kite train to achieve the altitude of 10,830. • 1998 students at Inami junior high school students break the world record for most kites on a single line by flying 15,585 kites. • 2000 Richard synergy flew a 18x30ft kite to a altitude of 13,600 feet to set a new single kite record.
April Is National Kite Flying Month
Types of Kites
Delta kites are easy to fly and make great first kites. Flying on the wind rather than against it, they soar on winds light enough to leave most kites on the ground. Semi-flexible construction lets them fly in a wide range of winds, shifting and swooping with birdlike grace at each change in the wind. Diamond Kites are one of the easiest kites to fly. They adjust automatically to gentle or fresh winds, and their long tails make launching a snap, even in gusty winds. Box Kites are fascinating structures that, with a good wind, can fly like they always have: steady as a rock. Their open centers add stability while making them unusually light on the line.
Delta or Bat Kite Plans
A - Upper Vinyl Wing Connector - connects Upper spreader to kite frame B - Stand-off - keep the shape of the kite, by connecting the sail to the spreaders C - Lower Vinyl Wing Connector - connects Lower spreader to kite frame D - Center Spine Vinyl Connector - connects the line to the sail and spreaders E - Bridle Cup - a loop that attaches the lines to the kite F & G - Lower and Upper Spreaders - Rods that give the kite its shape H - Spine - Some kites have no spine eg. Flexi-Foil I - Nose
Let’s Build Our Own Fabulous Flying Creations
1. Choose a concept for your kite.Make preliminary drawings to help with brainstorming
2. Decide which style of kite you will build 3. Gather all necessary materials 4. Be creative! However remember the goal is flight