The Aviation Project - Applications of Kites
Home

Introduction
Legends and stories surrounding kites
What is the difference between man carrying kites and man lifting kites?
Applications of the kite
Kites used for scientific research
Activities and tasks in connection to kites and electricity
Aeronautics and the first model glider
Vehicles pulled by Kites
War Kites and S.F.Cody
 


Building

The Japanese used the lifting property of the kite to lift tiles and bricks to workmen building towers. The objects were carried using baskets attached to huge kites.

Warfare

Both in the First and Second World Wars the Germans used man-lifting kites to increase their observation at sea. The kites were flown from the submarines while surface cruising. This increased their visibility at sea from 5 miles to 25 miles at sea level. The huge box kites carrying men flew at an altitude of 400 feet. They were towed behind the submarines and did not need a strong wind to lift them.

Fishing

Asian fishermen still used kites today in order to catch fish. A long line, with a hook attached is suspended from the kite and enters the water. The advantage of using a kite for fishing is that the kite does not create a shadow on the water and secondly the use of the kite gives the fisherman a very long cast. In their simplest forms these kites were made from large leaves, threaded with strips of bamboo. The hook was attached at some considerable distance from the tail.




The image below, courtesy of the British Museum shows early fishing kites from the Solomon Islands.
Home