The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1898-02-05
(To be continued.D
KITES OF TO-DAY.
A Boys Amusement Becomes an Art
for Scientists.
nate.

A Boys Amusement Becomes an Art
for Scientists.
Kite-hying is to be no longer regarded
as mere amusement for boys. 1t has
become science and an art to which
many learned scientists are now giving
earnest attention. Kites are needed
these days to explore the upper air in
the study of its meteorology, to carry
cameras on high, and for other posi-
BILE uses that may be developed.
American scientists have been par
ticularly active in this direction. NJ.
A. G. McAdie, who is the "AsSiStant
Forecast Official to the Governmental
Meteorological Bureau. In San Francis
co, is among the pioneers who have CHI
braced the occupation in the spirit of
original research.
The science of the thing is in its in
fancy. The old cotfin-shaped kite of
our boyhood days, with its fiat surface,
six sticks and a tail, is a crude thing
that will stay in the air in Il good wind
generally with a good deal of darting
about.
Up TO two or three years ago nobody
knew any better kite, but now the
Malay kite, which presents conCave
surface to the wind, and so needs no
tail, has revolutioniZed the work. No
scientifically constructed kite has tail.
1t is 4 useless weight.
For practical use kites are wanted
which will carry light weights high
into the air. The maximum of lifting
power with the minimum of strain on
the string, the minimum of weight and
bulk, and the maximum Of steadinels
are chief among the things sought for
in a kite. The number OF conSidera-
tons that enter into the kite problem
are surprising.
The modern scientific kite is of what
is called the cellular" type. 1t looks
like combination of boxes. The prin-
cipie is that of supervising two or
three more planes. one above the other.
The idea was originated in 1866 by
Wenham. 1t was not until four or i've
years ago that the idea was practically
worked out by Iargrave, Il we'll
| known Australian scientist. who has
been working at flying machines. Har-
grave lifted man into the air with 4
lot of his kites.
Mr.. McAdie. however. has improved
on IIargrave's device by making Il dia-
mond shaped kite which sits corner
ly as did Hargrave's.
One of these winged kites achieved
marvellous results. 1t presented six
teen square feet of surface and weigh
ed thirteen and One-quarter ounces. II
flew with remarkable SteadincSS, and
with 800 feet of string it rose 10 an
angle of 20 degrees.
one of the most noticeable improve
| mentS is the manner Of connecting XII"
and string. y rigid stick projects for
ward eighteen inches, and To this the
string is attached. This acts as a lever
which holds the kite steady, and il
brings the point of suspension farther
in front of the center of resistance.
Another original popularity is that
It changes shape somewhat in the wind
through the framework being made Of
rather flexible sticks. This is n new
idea, and it may become a great secret
of the success of the scientifically con
structed kites Of the future.
The stronger the wind the more viii
The shane become oval. and the more
will the wings bend back ward. thus
lesspning the surface presented to the
wind and decreasing the tension on
the string. TO certain extent This
kite adapts itself to the force of the
wind.
II is recorded that on one occasion 4
kite was successfully used To carry
rope to a small boat which was being
tossed about during q storm. The boat
was about half mile from the shore
and it was impossible to obtain an
other boat strong enough to face the
bad weather.