Kite
device · 500 BC · Ancient world
A tethered surface lifted by the wind.
What it is made of
- Kite frame of sticks — has part. Light battens set the plane and shape of the kite.
- Kite sail cloth — has part. Cloth or paper on which the wind pushes.
- Kite bridle — has part. The lines set the angle of attack to the wind.
- Rope — has part. The line holds the kite and passes the tension to the hand.
- Kite tail — has part. It stabilizes the kite, damping its swaying.
Principles and materials it uses
- Lift — uses. A kite is held up by lift.
- Silk — is made of. Chinese kites were silk.
- Wood — is made of. On a bamboo frame.
History: what it evolved from and what it influenced
- Glider — evolved into. Lilienthal and Cayley studied the wing with kites and gliders.
- Space frame — evolved into. Bell came up with the structure while building tetrahedral kites.