Alexander

Graham Bell,
inventor of the
telephone, also
experimented
with aeronautics
in the 1890's.

Alexander Graham Bell, inventor of the telephone, also experimented with

aeronautics in the 1890's. While living in Nova Scotia, Bell embarked on a
program of kite tests aimed towards establishing the most stable form of kite
capable of carrying a man and an engine. He decided upon the tetrahedral cell
kite, a structure found to possess great lift as well as strength. In 1907, a huge
tetrahedral kite lifted a man to 200 feet while towed behind a boat, however, a
powered version of the kite proved unsuccessful. Nonetheless, Bell's kite
experimentation led him to other more conventional designs which eventually
resulted in a successful powered aircraft.

While living in Nova Scotia, Bell embarked on

a program of kite tests aimed towards
establishing the most stable form of kite
capable of carrying a man and an engine.

He decided upon the tetrahedral cell kite, a

structure found to possess great lift as well
as strength.

In 1907, a huge tetrahedral kite lifted a man to

200 feet while towed behind a boat.
A powered version of the kite proved
unsuccessful.

Nonetheless, Bell's kite experimentation led

him to other more conventional designs
which eventually resulted in a successful
powered aircraft

The tetrahedron is
theoretically the
strongest, most rigid
symmetrical structure
that can exist in
nature. Cover any two
sides of the
tetrahedron with
fabric, and you have
the basic cellular
structure that Bell
used in his kites.

Note the uncanny similarities between this and the Wright

Brothers first designs. Can you figure out what the Wright
Brothers gliders and airplanes had that made them
successful ?

The Wright Brothers

Orville Wright

Wilbur Wright

First flight of the Wright Flyer I, December

17, 1903, Orville piloting, Wilbur running
at wingtip.