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Kite flying is the activity of flying kites, light, man-made objects designed to
fly in wind. The necessary lift that makes the kite fly is generated when the
kite deflects a portion of the wind downwards. In addition to the lift, this
deflection generates horizontal drag along the direction of the wind. This drag
is opposed with the tension of one or more lines held by the operator of the
kite. Kites held with more than one line can be steered by pulling the different
lines with different strength. |
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Chinese kite designs often emulate flying insects, birds, and other beasts, both
real and mythical. The finest Chinese kites are made from split bamboo (usually
golden bamboo), covered with silk, and hand painted. On larger kites, clever
hinges and latches allow the kite to be disassembled and compactly folded for
storage or transport. Cheaper kites are often made from printed polyester rather
than silk. |
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Kites flown by children are often the of geometric type. Kites can be designed
with many different shapes, forms ,and sizes. They can take the form of historic
flat geometric designs, box kites and other aerodynamic forms, or modern spar
less inflatable designs. |
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A recent addition to the kite family is the
Rotorkite. This type of kite
consists of a rotor or rotors much like the rotors found on helicopters and
autogiros. In a proper wind the rotors spin and create lift. This type of kite
requires two control lines, one for each hand.
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Practical & cultural uses |
Kites have been used militarily in the past, both for delivery of messages and
munitions, and for observation, by lifting an observer above the field of
battle, and by using kite aerial photography.
Kites have also been used for scientific purposes, such as Benjamin Franklin's
famous (but dangerous) experiment proving that lightning is electricity. Kites
were the precursors to aircraft, and were instrumental in the development of
early flying craft. Alexander Graham Bell experimented with very large
man-carrying kites, as did the Wright brothers.
Kite flying is very popular in China, Japan, India, Thailand, and many other
countries. In some countries, 'kite fights' are held, in which kite fighters try
to snag each other's kites or cut other kites down. In Afghanistan this is known
as Gudiparan Bazi. Some kite fighters pass their strings through a mixture of
ground glass powder and glue. The resulting strings are very abrasive and can
sever the competitor's strings. However, this practice is dangerous since the
abrasive strings can also injure people.
In recent years, multi-line kite flying has developed into a sport, with
competitions for precision flying and for the artistic interpretation of music.
Kite festivals are also held where kites from around the world are displayed in
the sky. This picture shows a Chinese dragon kite more than one hundred feet
long which flew in the annual Berkeley, California, kite festival in 2000.
The Indian festival of Makar Sankranti is devoted to kite flying in some areas.
This spring festival is celebrated every January 14 (or January 15 on leap
years), with millions of people flying kites all over northern India. The
festival is a public holiday in the state of Gujarat.
In Greece, flying kites is a tradition for Clean Monday, the first day of Lent.
During the Taliban rule in Afghanistan, kite flying was banned, among various
other recreations.
In Pakistan, kite flying is a ritual for the spring festival known as Basant.
However, kite flying is currently banned as some kite fliers engage in kite
battles by coating their strings with glass or shards of metal, leading to
injuries and death. |