A kite is a tethered heavier-than-air or lighter-than-air vehicle with wing surfaces that react against the air to create lift and drag forces. A kite is made up of wings, tethers, and anchors. On kites, a bridle and tail are often employed to guide the kite’s face so that the wind may lift it. Some kite designs may not require a bridle; for example, box kites can just have one attachment point. Anchors on a kite can be fixed or moveable, and they can assist in balancing the kite. According to one technical description, a kite is “a collection of tether-coupled wing sets.” It gets its name from its resemblance to a hovering bird.

The lift is generated as air flows over the kite’s surface, generating low pressure above and high pressure below the wings, keeping the kite flying. Horizontal drag in the direction of the wind is also caused by interaction with the wind. The resultant force vector from the lift and drag force components is opposed by the tension of one or more of the lines or tethers to which the kite is attached. The anchor point on the kite line might be fixed or moveable (e.g., the towing of a kite by a running person, boat, free-falling anchors as in paragliders and fugitive parakites or vehicle).

Although there are no practical uses yet, kites can be used in underwater currents since the same principles of fluid movement apply in liquids.

Man-lifting kites were developed for reconnaissance, entertainment, and during the development of the first practical airplane, the biplane.

Kites have a long and interesting history, and many different types are flown at festivals all over the world. Kites can be flown for entertainment, art, or utility. Sport kites, which are occasionally utilized in contests, can be used in aerial ballet. Multi-line steerable power kites can be used for power kite surfing, kite landboarding, kite buggying, and snowkiting.

Asia was the birthplace of kites. Their exact origin, however, is uncertain. The earliest representation of a kite is found in a Mesolithic era cave art on Muna island in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia, dating from 9500″9000 years B.C. It depicts the Muna’s kadhai kite, which is still in use today. Although modern kites use string, the mainsail is made of kolope (forest tuber) leaves, the frame is made of bamboo skin, and the rope is made of twisted forest pineapple fiber.

In the 5th century B.C., Chinese philosophers Mozi (also Mo Di or Mo Ti) and Lu Ban are credited with creating the kite (also Gongshu Ban, or Kungshu Phan). Kite building components included silk cloth for sails, fine, high-tensile-strength silk for flying lines, and durable bamboo for a robust, lightweight frame. A paper kite was used as a communication for a rescue mission in 549 AD, indicating that they were certainly being flown at the time. According to ancient and medieval Chinese writings, kites were used for measuring distances, testing the wind, raising troops, signaling, and communicating for military activities.

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