Foreword ‘The kite has been in existence for twenty-five centuries oF 50, ‘and most of ts at some time in our lives have attempted to Aly one, yet its history and principles remain relatively obscure ‘even today. In spite of its long and fascinating history of practical application, its instruction and entertainment value, the challenge and rewards of designing, building and fying kites are known to few westerners over the age of twelve. ‘The uses ofthe kite have been many and varied, contributing _greatly (o man’s need to extend his physical and mental reach. Apart from its religious and ceremonial significance, and as ‘an object for divining and celebrating fertility, birth and destiny, the kite has been, and may again become, a hard- working tool of mankind, It hes been used for signalling over vast distances, providing military observation, fishing, measuring, and divining the secrets ofthe atmosphere ~ providing traction and lift in thousands of applications, Undoubtedly though, the kite’s greatest contribution has been its role as precursor ofthe aeroplane. Sir George Cayley, ‘described by the French historian, Charles Dollfus, as “The {tue inventor of the aeroplane and one of the most powerful ‘Beniuses in the history of aviation’, incorporated a traditional English arch (op kite into his kite-glider of 1804, establishing “the first modern configuration aeroplane of history. .."* While Cayley’skite has gone on to reach its zenith, this ddoes not preclude the kite form from offering modern man ‘worthwhile, relaxing and mentally satisfying endeavour, Indeed, the strange attraction ofthe kite can be attributed, in patt at least, to is paradoxical quality of providing ‘exercise and relaxation to both mind and body. ‘The kites an aireraft, and as such itis governed by the principles of heavier-than-air ight, and itis only through an understanding ofthese basic principles that it becomes possible to devise new and beautiful configurations ‘that embody the grace and efficiency of absolute simplicity. 1 Gibbs Smith CM, Sir Geore Cap (1273-187, Londo, 168,97.History Even though its origins are obscure, itis generally accepted ‘that the kite was first invented in China long before the beginnings of written history. IL seems probable however that some cultures discovered the principles of kite fying ‘uite independently, whist others developed existing patterns, {0 suit theic own requirements, Silk was being produced in ‘China as early as 2600 u.c. and as bamboo cane wasin abundance it does not seem an unreasonable conjecture that kites were being flown by the Chinese around 1000 a.c, Many theories have been put forward as to the original inspiration of the kite, ranging from runavsay sails from a fishing boat toa Chinese farmer's hat being carried off by the ‘wind, Whik all theories must remain speculative, in an early {ext the famous Chinese engineer Kungshu Phan of the fourth ‘century #.c. is credited withthe invention of a wooden bird that flew for three days without descending. This s generally accepted as having been a kite; while another well documented account from the second century 4.D. refers to the wooden Dire of Chang Héng, which appears to have been a rudimentary ‘ornithopter with mechanized wings. Is interesting to relate this story with the first western account of kite flying, recorded by Aulus Gellius in the second century 4.0.- which refers to the “fying dove" of Arehytas of Tarentum, and in which the same basic type of aircraft is deseribed, Chinese folklore abounds in stories of kites flown for both pleasure anc! purpose, the more expedient applications answering mainly military needs. One of the more ingenious uses of the kite was demonstrated by the Han general Han ‘Trains Chine birdie‘Hsin in the year 169 s.c, He is said to have used a kite to gauge the distance between his forces and the walls of ¢ palace in order to measure the distance that his sappers might have to dig, so that his troops might enter. Chinese legend also tells, us that Liu Pang, founder of the Han Dynesty in 2021.¢., ‘was opposed by a general Huan Theng,¢ fierce defender of the previous order. Huan Theng and his army were eventually surrounded by the usurper’s forces, and were threatened with annihilation. Its said that a fortuitous gust of wind carried ‘Huan Theng’s hat from his head, giving him the idea of building a large quantity of kites fitted with sounding devices. ‘These would probably have taken the Form of finely shaved ‘bamboo strips held taut between the ends of a bow, and were flowin in the dead of night above the army of Liu Pang, who, ‘on hearing the mysterious wailing in the sky, supposedly panicked and fled, Acre tere ki, ‘Soshoon ttn ‘Though man-carrying and man-lifing kites have apparently ‘been used in China in countless military and civil applications since the earliest times, accounts also exist of enforced ‘manned fights, As a method of punishing prisoners, Emperor Wen Hsuan Ti ofthe Kao Yang Dynasty is recorded as having derived great pleasure from ordering his prisoners to “fly” froma tower while harnessed to large bamboo mats, offering. ‘them freedom should they survive. “Marco Polo in 1282 not only gives a graphic aeeount of the ‘cruelty and hazards involved in manned kite ights, but also sgivesamextremely accurate description of kite fying technique, “And so we will tell you how when any ship must goon a ‘voyage, they prove whether her business will go wel o ill. ‘Themen of the ship will have hurdle, that is grating, of