The history of kite flying dates black to ancient China. The Chinese have flown kites for nearly 3,000 years. The first kites were made of skilk and bamboo, and they had the same basic design. Modern kites come in a variety of materials, colors, shapes, and sizes. Over the centuries kites have served many purposes.
The Chinese used the kites mainly as playthings. However, early kites were also used for military purposses. LArge kites were strong enough to carry people up in the air to observe enemy movements. In the Polynesian islands, fishermen have used kites for the past 2,500 years. They tie pieces of shark to a kite's tail. The shark serves as bait to catch fish. Also in ancient times, Roman soldiers used the kite as a military banner.
The kite also influenced Leonardo da vinci. When da Vinci was experimenting with the concept of flight and flying machines in the late 1400s, he useddifferent kite designs.
The Wright brothers, who invented the first airplane to fly with a gasoline engine, developed an interest in flying when they were children. They used to fly kies. The brothers' historic flight in 1903 was made on a plane that was inspired by a kite design. But what is the connection between kites and aeronautics? The basic principle that lifts the kite is the same that keeps the plane in the air. People have used kites to study the principles of flying.
Throughout history, the kite has resulted in many technical breakthroughs and innovations. But the real explanation of the kite's long life is that flying kites is simply fun.