The history of kite flying dates back to ancient China The Chinese have flown kites for nearly 3,ooo years The first kites were made of silk 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 play things. However, early kites were also used for military purposes. 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 ancient times, Roman soldiers used the kite 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 used different 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 kites. 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 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 that flying kites is simply fun.