Kite Making

History

The first kites were made in Micronesia and East Asia between the fifth and fourth centuries BCE. From East Asia, kite making spread to India and Europe, and from Europe to the United States. Since that time, kite making has played a role in the development of science, and has also become an internationally popular hobby.

In Micronesia, kites were used for rituals and as tools for fisherman. Early kites were made from found objects, such as leaves and wood. Historians believe that fishermen used kites to keep track of their lines when fishing in the ocean.

Chinese legends record several variations on the origin of kites, including a story that the kite was accidentally discovered when a farmer's hat was caught in the wind while tethered to a long string. The first Chinese kites were used in religious ceremonies and were usually constructed by specialized craftsmen. By the sixth century CE, the Chinese military had begun using kites in warfare, to hoist gunpowder and lookouts into the air, and to measure distances.

Kite making was brought from China to Korea and Japan by Buddhist monks. The Japanese developed advanced kite making techniques and popularized the use of animal and mythological designs in kites.

After the ninth century, kites became popular among the aristocracy in China and Japan and were often included in official ceremonies. In modern Japanese culture, kites are used to celebrate the birth of male children and to signify important family events.

Chinese monks also brought kite making to India sometime after 1000. India absorbed kite flying into its religious rituals, and still maintains one of the world's largest kite-making communities.

Asian cultures also developed kite fighting, where maneuverable kites are used in competition with strings coated in broken glass, pottery or other sharp implements. Opponents attempt to entangle each other's kites and then use sawing motions to sever the strings. Kite fighting is now practiced around the world.

Italian explorer Marco Polo brought kites from China to Europe at the end of the thirteenth century. By the fifteenth century, Europeans were experimenting with kites for the military. Leonardo da Vinci used kites in some of his research, incorporating them into his designs for the hang glider.

By the mid-sixteenth century, kite flying was a popular leisure activity in Europe, especially among children. Europeans developed a number of unique kite designs, including specialized kites used to pull carriages and lift heavy objects.

In the mid-eighteenth century, Scottish meteorologist Alexander Wilson used kites to study atmospheric phenomena. His techniques were widely adopted, and kites remained one of the major tools for meteorologists into the twentieth century. In the United States, Benjamin Franklin's experiments with kites led to a new understanding of atmospheric electricity.

Scientists around the world competed in the search for a powered flight using kites to construct and test alternative designs. Australian inventor Lawrence Hargrave is widely credited with developing the airfoil design later used in designing airplane wings.

During the First and Second World War, kites were used to spy on enemies by United States and European forces. They were also used to increase the range of radio communications by hoisting transmitters into the air.

In the twentieth century, kite makers developed new materials for kite construction. Aluminum, plastic and fiberglass rods replaced wooden kite frames, and polymer fabrics replaced the fabric and paper used for sails.

Technological advancements led to the development of high-performance "sport kites" capable of high speeds and maneuverability. Kite engineers also created the frameless kite, using polymer materials and membranes.

Today, kite making is practiced by thousands of hobbyists around the world, and kites remain an important tool in scientific research. In Asian and Indian cultures, kites have retained their spiritual and social significance, though they are also used for recreation.

Frame

• The spine is the main reinforcement for the kite's body and determines the general size. It is usually constructed of wood or carbon fiber.
• Spars or spreaders are the cross pieces that determine the wing length of the kite and the angular shape of the sail. These pieces are usually made from a flexible material like bamboo, thin wooden rods or synthetic fibers.
• A bridle is a series of connecting rods or wires usually used in sport kites that reinforce and connect the spine and the spreaders.

Sail

• The cover is the fabric that makes up the kite's body, and is usually made from paper, plastic, silk, or nylon.
• The nose and tail are fabric pieces that hold the spine to the cover. These pieces are generally made by creating a pouch out of the webbing or fabric used for the cover.
• Tails are included on some kites for added aesthetic appeal. Tails are generally constructed using the same type of fabric as the cover.

String and Attachments

• The kite string is attached at one or more places to the frame. Multi-line kites have several attachment sites on either side of the spine.
• Spools are used to hold the kite string and to vary the length of the flying line. The string can be lengthened or slackened to control the movement of the kite. Some spools are simple while others feature mechanical gears like a fishing lure.
• Swivels are sometimes used to attach the kite to the string. Swivels reduce twisting in the line and increase the stability of the kite.

Types of Kites

Single line kites: Single line kites come in a variety of shapes and sizes, including diamond and delta shapes. Single line kites are sometimes shaped like animals or mythological creatures.

Dual line kites: Dual line kites include stunt kites and sport kites. Adding multiple lines allows for increased control and maneuverability. Dual line kites are available in a variety of shapes including diamond, delta, animal shapes and hexagon.

Sled kites: These are dual line kites that are designed for pulling heavy weight. Sled kite designs have been incorporated into parasail and parachute technology.

Cellular kites: Cellular or box kites are made of relatively ridged "cells" that can be arranged into a variety of patterns. Most box kites are made for high-performance and high-altitude flying.

Trends

A recent trend in kite making has been to return to traditional designs and flying techniques. Kite makers around the world have been experimenting with bamboo and silk designs as well as with elaborate regional decorations.

Kite manufacturers use computer-assisted modeling (CAD) and 3-D printing in the design and production of their kites.

A subset of kite makers focus on miniature kites, ranging from nano kites that fit within a 0.4-inch (10-mm) cube to magnum kites that fit within a 12-inch (305-mm) cube. Members of the Miniature Kite Guild have produced flyable kites that can fit inside a 1.375-inch cube (not including the tail).

Kite Making for Fun vs. Profit

Professional kite makers often spend years perfecting their craft. For an introduction to the industry, novices should consider working as an apprentice at a kite making studio or for a professional kite maker.

Success in the industry often relies on the kite maker's ability to create novel and interesting kite designs. Skills in painting and sewing will greatly increase a kite maker's ability to improve the aesthetics of his or her designs.

Pre-made kites can sell from anywhere from $10 to several thousand dollars, making it a lucrative endeavor for a trained professional.

Learning More

Organizations

American Kite Flying Association (AKA) <www.kite.org>

The Drachen Foundation <https://drachen.org/>

Japan Kite Association (JKA) <www.tako.gr.jp>

Kite Trade Association International (KTAI) <www.kitetrade.org>

KiteLife <http://kitelife.com/>

Miniature Kite Guild <http://www.miniaturekiteguild.org/main/>

World Kite Museum <http://www.worldkitemuseum.com/>

Books

Belsky, Nancy Ann. Building Kites. Gale Seymour Publications, 2000.

Guerra, Rosella. The Kite Making Handbook.David and Charles Publishers, 2004.

Hart, Clive. Kites: An Historical Survey. Paul P. Appel, 1967.

Morgan, Paul, and Helene Morgan. The Ultimate Kite Book. Simon and Schuster, 1992.

Streeter, Tal. The Art of Japanese Kites. Weatherhill Press, 1980.