Kites 'R Us:Kites 'R Us:This Website is a working collection of items for a Kite Investigation Project: EDUC 521 Sponsored by RETA of New Mexico(Regional Educational Technology Assistance.)
Special recognition and thanks to Phillip Le Riche
at http://www.blueskylark.org/zoo
His website is a definite "Place to Go" for anyone wanting to learn
more about the art of kites and related history.
Best wishes to Mr. Le Riche and all of my thanks!
Box Kite: (Hargrave Kite)
The box kite, also called the hargrave kite or the hargrave box kite after the inventor Lawrence Hargrave who invented the box kite in the 1890's. Due to their innate abilities to carry heavy payloads, steady flight, and capacity for high altitude flight these kites have had many industrial and military uses in the past. Box kites were used until the 1930's to carry meteorological equipment for high altitude weather studies and by the Royal Air Force as sea rescue equipment to deliver radio arials.
Cellular Kites: The Conyne
Triangular box kites can be made, but if you then add wings, the result is the Conyne kite. The pronunciation is disputed in kiting circles. (For what it's worth, I pronounce it as "co" to rhyme with "snow", "nyne" as in three threes.) But if you prefer, you can also refer to it as the French Military Kite since it was used by the French army for reconnaisance. It is also known as the Pilot Kite. Silas Conyne, an American, patented it in 1902. Not only do the box sections form a dihedral but they also result in the centre of lift being somewhat above the attachment points of the bridle. Together, these factors result in a very stable flying characteristic. Double conynes are often made, for extra lift.
The Cody: (Have you ever heard of Buffalo Bill?)
Samuel Cody, an American born in Iowa in 1867, was a highly colourful and flamboyant character who enjoyed demonstrating his remarkable skills as a horseman, with the lassoo, and with the gun. When his interest turned to kites, after many experiments he settled on a winged variant of the Hargraves Box, which has taken his name.
The Circoflex: (Translate the plans from French!)
This is a truly stunning kite that flys with a slant balance.
Kites In History:
Research the use of kites in Atmospheric Science
