The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-03-22
KITES OF HIGH FLIGHT.
TN TYPE WIN WHICH sURPRIs-
INa FEATs ARE PERFORMER
Construction OF Kites that win Fly 60 n
Great -Dimouity OF Gettins the
Observation-Disclosures tn Forun that Msy
Re ntroduced- FtEhtinw Kites mr. Roya.

Construction or Kites that win Fly 20 =
Great Dimoulty OF Gettins the
Observation-Disclosures tn rsr-a thst May
Be introduced FiGhti.g Kites tOr Boys.
Up 70 n few years ago the flying Of kites was
deemed a childish pastime except among the
Chinese. This was mainly because tho flight
OF the old pear-shaped kites was limited. one
had to run with the Rito to keep 1t up. and
there was really not much amusement " be en-
tracted. by and BY the shape OF the kite was
improved. the Malay kite. which keeps up with
very little movement, was introduced, and
William A.. Eddy. Gilbert wooglom. Mr.. Fer
gusun. Mr.. Clayton. and others began to dem
oustrate what Kites really could do. Then gem
eral attention was attracted to them.
To ny the old dime Kite was easy, but TO fly
a kite up To 1000 feet, IA Mr.. Eddy has done,
sending an instrument along 10 register tho
elevation, Is n very different thing. Another
feat has been to send IL life line over n
wreck which no lifeboat could hope ~ roach.
In another case n letter was enclosed IN a key,
and the keg towcd by y kite. without any string
being held In the hand, to a spot two miles
away. the keg being landed within q few yards
of the place aimed at. Again, a boat was towed
across Long Island Sound from Bridgeport 10
Port Jefferson; n wagon holding four boys was
lowed along u New Jersey road, and perhaps
NAO h'ffh ~ 'N " h''SA
camera was sent up on n kite, fitted with n slow
match, which at u certain elevation burned u
cord which liberated Il shutter, and SO took All
Instantaneous photograph of Qualifications or
what not below. Kites standing twenty-one
feet high have been built and fown In New
Jersey, which required u vindlass TO control
the cord, an exceedingly long clothesline.
To make kites which will fly to n great height
one should get some well-seasoned, straight
grained cypress, some No. s thread, some -four
paste which will stick fast, some colored silk
paper, n pair of scissors, and a sharp knife. For
the franc of ono OF the Kites three sticks are
required, two of, say. 81 Inches long and one OF
~ inches long. The size should be increased
in proportion II a larger kite is required. The
sticks are laid fiat on u table, the two long ones
forming all Y and tho shorter one lying across
them where they join, and they are tightly and
neatly tied together with thread. Much de.
ponds on this being done properly. Then they
are spread by placing a cross Liece, about o
inches long, between the two upper ends OF the
Y. This short piece is pointed at each end, to
lit into notches on the sides OF the y.
Now notch the ends of the stick to receive
thread. and carry the thread all around the
frame. loosely at first, and then tighten up until
the sticks arc rigid and in place. Now prepare to
cover the frame. This is done by laying a piece
va sim b'iNAs VIVA WV - IA -
and putting the frame upon 1t. With a pair of
sharp scissors cut all around the frame. leav-
Ing a margin of about half an inch from tho out
line marked by the thread. At the top of the
kite the paper is not carried up to the top, but
is cut to tit round the very short cross stick,
which is known in kite technics as the "hum-
mer stick" Now take the paste and careful
" and neatly paste the paper all around, so
that 1t can be turned over the thread and 1T
closely and smoothly. without wrinkles. Then
around the thread above the hummer stick
paste u small oval piece OF paper. which nuns
when the kite Is IN the dir. and down each side
from the hummer stick to the first stick point
below paste strips Of paper about eighteen
inches long by three wide. which are known
as wings. and are to help keep the kite steady.
To the lower part Of frame. just where the
wings end, are attached a few strips of paper
for ornament and balance, which are called
streaIners.
so far the operation has not been very difi-
cult or intricate, but now comes the test of
ski. In fitting accurately what are known as
the brides, for on the proper placing OF those
depends how the finished kite will fly. To
thread about eighteen inches long. and thea.
not quite half way down, just at tho cross Of
through the PAPER and tie it firfaiy to the Centre
sticks beneath. The three threads should then
be brought together In q common centre, and
IS the diaculty. It IS fmpossiSle To descr hss
Just whore this, knot should come, and the kite
Wien il is found the kite viii answer to the
fly wv Without he Il q tail. but il any AM; difieu T'sei j. s foand
in this matter, IL is easily overcome BY tying u
piece Of thread TO each of the lower, points Of
the y, bringing them 10 n common knot, and
then suspending from them a thread with a
few pieces OF cloth tied on in the orthodox
This kite will be found to fly very steadily
In "a moderate wind. and to fly very high. II is
e experiments at t' the ins B sIaeui Hill fii's oS Sssa at ase
which reached $500 feet. This. however. was
not done with one kite, but with tandem kites.
flying, To fly, tandem kites It is necessary to
make four or Ave kites which fly perfectly, and
up with a silk thread. and as soon as 1t is as
high ~ i win go the thread win sag in. the
Kite are being overtaxed. Then the kite is
down beyond the point were the thread
tifhtens and BECOMES rigid, and the assistant,
thread out. brings the free end OF its line 10 the
cord Of the first, kite and loops It firmly on.
kite. and the thread may be rapidly unroiled
until both kites are vel, up and the sag again
fHS g On on, e UntiI tie t hssn kite s" Is away KATE swa IS
according TO the strength of the wind AMI
the artistic make OF the kites. 1t was on u line
lane ieweller. on the day OF the dedication OF
the Washington Arch, sent uu n good sized
American flag. At various times he has sent
up a basket Of homing pigeons and liberated
as they We're out OF the basket. instead of flying
right Oft. they drop like stones for 200 feet,
and then. getting their bearings, started for
nome. His experiments show that II Is not i'm,
possible that in the next war kites will be sent
with guiding strings, mannuvred over "a
spot. and then made to drop a charge OF
dynamite inside IA fertilization for instance.
For boys who like fun there are the fighting
kites, modelled upon those of the Chinese, the
greatest kite-iying nation on earth. to whom.
no xeyer, OF late the kite flyers OF the United
their own game; The fighting kites may be
made on the model above described. by fasten-
Ing another 27-inch stick In position. 40 that Its
lower end Just crosses the centre OF the X. The
cord is stretched to the upper point as well a.
round the frame, and the paper u pasted on, in
should be- made very sharp. The balance Is OBJ
tanned in the usual way. When this kite is
flown, instead Of sailing steadily all the time 1t
darts here and there, being sometimes horizon
with ls spear In fr"nt' and 4 IL comes
kind of hghting kite is to At a kite with a tail
made OF small pieces OF sharp glass cemented
The kite Is guided so that the Rlsas