By the will of the wind: Kites were used in war and science. Kites in the past and present Find information about what a kite is

O. BULANOVA

Kites were invented in China even before historians began to write their chronicles. The Chinese began making the first kites from bamboo and plant leaves. After the invention of silk in 2600 BC. The Chinese began making kites from bamboo and silk.

Chinese manuscripts tell of kites in the shape of birds, fish, butterflies, beetles, and human figures, which were painted in the brightest colors.

The most common type of Chinese serpent was the dragon, a fantastic winged serpent. A huge dragon raised into the air was a symbol of supernatural forces.

There are many stories in Chinese folklore about kites being flown for both pleasure and business. They were most often used for military purposes. In addition, the Chinese used kites to measure the distance between their army and the walls of the enemy’s castle.

They say that the commander Han Xin, trying to rescue the emperor, launched a kite from his camp and, using the length of the rope, determined the exact distance to the wall of the besieged capital, thanks to which he was able to create a tunnel.

Also, with the help of kites, scouts and observers were lifted into the sky.

There is a legend that in 202 BC. General Huang Teng and his army were surrounded by opponents and were in danger of complete destruction. It is said that a random gust of wind blew the general's hat off his head, and then the idea came to him to create a large number of kites equipped with sound devices.

According to Chinese chronicles, the Chinese Emperor Liu Bang, besieged in his capital, launched them over the rebel camp. Supposedly invisible at night, the snakes equipped with whistles made terrible sounds, demoralizing enemy soldiers.

In the dead of night, these kites flew right over the heads of the enemy army, who, hearing mysterious howls in the sky, panicked and ran away.

However, in South-East Asia and New Zealand, a device that can hover in the air was apparently invented independently of China. It was made from palm leaves and used for fishing, hanging hooks from a thread floating above the water. In addition, it was used by peasants as a garden scarecrow.

Don't forget about the religious significance of kites: in most cultures Far East the thread going into the sky served as a symbol of connection with the gods of the air and the souls of ancestors. In Thailand, it was designed to drive away monsoon rains.

In the 7th century The kite flew to Japan. Perhaps they were brought to the country by Buddhist missionaries in ancient times, around 618-907.

In Japan, kites gained popularity; they began to give them the shape of a crane, fish, and turtle. Kites began to appear in the form of colorfully painted canvases.

In ancient Japanese drawings you can also find images of kites, which were significantly different in shape from Chinese ones.

Kites in this country served as a connecting link between man and the gods. Kites were flown in order to scare away evil forces, protect against misfortunes, and ensure a good harvest and health.

Stories about how these devices lifted “crackers,” building materials, and even people into the air are very numerous. For example, the samurai Tamemoto and his son were exiled to Hachijo Island. This Japanese Daedalus built a giant kite, on which his son managed to fly away from the island.

The plot is apparently a fairy tale, but the “Van-Van” snakes with a wingspan of 24 m and a tail length of 146 m are historically attested. Such a colossus weighing about 3 tons could easily lift a person into the air.

In India, kite fights have gained popularity; they still attract huge crowds of spectators during the Makar Sankranti holiday.

Kites became widespread in Korea. At first, their use was purely religious in nature, and then flying kites became a fascinating form of activity and spectacle.

In Malaysia, kites were also popular. A typical Malayan kite has the shape of a curvilinear, symmetrical triangle. Its frame consists of three intersecting rods, the covering is made of coarse fabric.

In Europe, of course, they also had an idea of ​​the lifting force of the wind. Surely, Greek sailors more than once had their sails torn off and fluttered in the air, while Roman simpletons had their hat blown off by a gust and it flew up on its strings.

No special ingenuity is required to create a kite. And yet the fact remains: the only thing the West has come up with is “dragon” (the Greek word for snake).

So from about 100 AD. called a Roman cavalry banner in the shape of a modern butterfly net, only longer. The “dragon” swelled with the wind (indicating its direction to the archers), wriggled and frightened the enemy with its whistle. The flowing cylindrical tail of the weather vane, made of fabric that twisted like the body of a dragon, gave the riders self-confidence and created a menacing appearance that instilled fear in the enemy.

Weather vanes also indicated to the archers the direction and strength of the wind. But a short shaft is not a thread going up. Compared to oriental masterpieces, the idea of ​​a “dragon” should be considered very mundane.

In general, according to European traditions, the invention of kites is attributed to the Greek mathematician Arcitas of Tarentum, who around 400 BC. designed a wooden bird based on research on bird flight. It is believed that he was inspired by the sight of a Chinese bird kite.

The ancient records about the first practical applications of kites are interesting; one of them says that in the 9th century. The Byzantines allegedly lifted a warrior on a kite, who from a height threw incendiary substances into the enemy camp.

In 906, the Kiev prince Oleg used kites during the capture of Constantinople. The chronicle says that “horses and people made of paper, armed and gilded” appeared in the air above the enemy.

And in 1066, William the Conqueror used kites for military signaling during the conquest of England. But, unfortunately, no data has been preserved about the shape of ancient European kites, their structural and flight properties.

The restless Marco Polo, who returned from China in 1295, introduced his fellow countrymen to the soaring kite. I liked the toy, but it didn’t become popular. The first (unfinished) European drawing of a “Thai cobra” type kite dates back to 1326.

In 1405, the first correct description of a kite appeared - in a treatise on military technology. And in a picture from 1618 depicting life in the Dutch town of Middelburg, we see boys flying kites of the diamond-shaped shape that is familiar to us today.

But only by the 17th century. kites became common in Europe. At the beginning of the 18th century. the hobby of kite flying was already extremely popular. Kites were used in mesmerizing spectacles and various shows, and not just as a harmless toy for children.

Thus, in Europe this object acquired neither mystical nor religious significance. But I acquired scientific knowledge, although not immediately. In 1749, Scottish meteorologist Alexander Wilson raised a thermometer to an altitude of 3,000 feet.

Three years later, Benjamin Franklin conducted a famous experiment with electricity in Philadelphia: during a thunderstorm, he flew a kite with a piece of wire attached to it. Everything immediately got wet from the rain. Result: the metal key in Franklin's hands sparkled. Having discovered the electrical nature of lightning with the help of a kite, Franklin invented the lightning rod.

Kites were used to study atmospheric electricity by the great Russian scientist Mikhail Lomonosov and the English physicist Isaac Newton.

Newton, when he was still a schoolboy, conducted several virtually unrecorded experiments regarding the most economical form of a kite.

In 1826, George Pocock patented a cart driven by a kite: it reached speeds of up to 30 km/h, and Pocock scared the peasants by driving around the outskirts of Bristol in a cart without horses.

In 1847, when they were crossing Niagara Falls, the first rope was thrown from bank to bank (250 m) using a kite.

Many other ideas arose: for example, using kites to rescue people from a sinking ship. Researchers have done many experiments related to lifting all kinds of loads, as well as people. Since 1894, kites have been systematically used to study the upper atmosphere.

Australian scientist Lawrence Hargrave made significant improvements to the kite in the 90s. XIX century In 1893, Hargrave created a kite in the form of a box without a bottom. This was the first fundamental improvement in design since ancient times.

Hargrave's flying boxes were not only a great impetus for the development of the “snake” business, but also undoubtedly helped in the design of the first aircraft.

But soon the era of airplanes began and snakes were forgotten. Although during both world wars they were used - on submarines to improve visibility and in pilots' rescue kits to raise the radio antenna.

The kite was widely used in meteorological observatories in Germany, France and Japan. 3may rose to a very great height.

For example, at the Linderberg Observatory (Germany) they achieved a kite lift of more than 7000 m.

The first radio communication across the Atlantic Ocean was made using a box kite. The Italian engineer G. Marconi launched in 1901 on the island of New Foundlain a large kite that flew on a wire that served as a receiving antenna.

At the beginning of the 20th century. The work on the snakes was continued by the captain of the French army, Sacconey. He created an even more advanced kite design, which is one of the best to this day.

The new life of the kite began in the 50s, when Francis Rogallo invented a design without bars - the wind held it spread out in the air. It was a paraglider that blurred the line between a parachute, a hang glider and a kite.

History of kites

Kites are among the oldest flying machines. The first documents about them are found several centuries before the start of the new chronology. Chinese manuscripts say that kites are in the shape of birds, fish, butterflies, beetles, and human figures, which were painted in the brightest colors.

The most common type of Chinese kite was the Dragon- a fantastic winged serpent. A huge dragon raised into the air was a symbol of supernatural powers. In a number of places in China, until recently, traces of the custom of mass kite flying on the ninth day of the ninth month were preserved - snake day.

The flying dragon is structurally complex. Two or three dozen light paper cones formed a long round body of a monster, wriggling picturesquely in flight. The serpent-dragon had a large head with a bared mouth. Through the mouth, the wind penetrated into the empty body and, inflating it, supported it in the air. Sometimes, instead of cones, the design of the dragon's frame included gradually smaller round disks, which were connected with each other by cords. Each disc was crossed by a thin bamboo strip, at the end of which large feathers were attached.

To enhance the effect, special “snake music” was invented, reminiscent of the howling of the wind in a chimney. The device that produced these sounds was made from dry poppy heads into which reed pipes were inserted. A rail was attached to the dragon's mouth, and two long silk ribbons were attached to the tail, which wriggled in the air along with the kite.

An interesting sight was presented by lanterns made from thin colored paper and fireworks attached to snakes.

Kites became widespread in Korea. At first, their use was purely religious in nature, and then flying kites became a fascinating form of activity and spectacle.

In ancient Japanese drawings you can also find images of kites, which were significantly different in shape from Chinese ones.

A typical Malayan kite has the shape of a curvilinear, symmetrical triangle. Its frame consists of three intersecting rods, the covering is made of coarse fabric.

European historians attribute the invention of the serpent, regardless of what existed in the countries of the East, to the ancient Greek scientist Archytas of Tarentum (IV century BC).

Interesting are the ancient records about the first practical applications of kites; one of them says that in the 9th century. The Byzantines allegedly lifted a warrior on a kite, who from a height threw incendiary substances into the enemy camp. In 906, the Kiev prince Oleg used kites during the capture of Constantinople. The chronicle says that “horses and people made of paper, armed and gilded” appeared in the air above the enemy. And in 1066, William the Conqueror used kites for military signaling during the conquest of England.

But, unfortunately, no data has been preserved about the shape of ancient European kites, their structural and flight properties.

For a long time, European scientists underestimated the importance of the kite for science. Only from the middle of the 18th century. the kite begins to be used during work. In 1749, A. Wilson (England) used a kite to raise a thermometer to determine the air temperature at altitude. In 1752, physicist W. Franklin used a kite to study lightning. Having discovered the electrical nature of lightning with the help of a kite, Franklin invented the lightning rod.

Kites were used to study atmospheric electricity by the great Russian scientist M.V. Lomonosov and the English physicist I. Newton.

By launching kites into the air, M.V. Lomonosov studied the upper layers of the atmosphere and the nature of lightning. On June 26, 1753, Lomonosov “with the help of a kite extracted lightning from the clouds.” He flew a kite into a thunderstorm and released a discharge of static electricity along its string, used as a conductor. These experiments almost cost him his life - Lomonosov accidentally left the room shortly before a strong electrical discharge, and Academician Richman, who was there, died.

The serpent begins to provide valuable services to science. Therefore, it is not surprising that in 1756 the famous mathematician L. Euler wrote the following lines: “The kite, this toy for children, despised by scientists, can, however, make you think deeply about yourself.”

Since 1848, a lot of work on raising kites was carried out by the commander of the Okhten pyrotechnic school K.I. Konstantinov. He developed a system for rescuing ships that suffered accidents near the shore: first a thin cord was supplied to the ship using kites, and then a strong rope.

The kite was significantly improved by the Australian scientist L. Hargrave in the 90s. XIX century. Taking advantage of the work of the first glider pilot, the German engineer O. Lilienthal, Hargrave was the first to use two through boxes connected to each other as a kite. Lilienthal, when designing his gliders, noticed that such devices had good stability in the air. Hargrave patiently searched for the best proportions for his boxes. Eventually, the first box kite appeared, no longer requiring a tail for stability in flight.

Hargrave's flying boxes were not only a great impetus for the development of the kite business, but also undoubtedly helped in the design of the first airplanes. This position is confirmed by the similarity with the two-box kite of the biplanes of Voisin, Santos-Dumont, Farman and the devices of other early aircraft designers.

The first human ascent on box kites was also accomplished by Hargrave. The passenger was lifted on four kites with a total area of ​​22 m2.

Since 1894, kites have been systematically used to study the upper atmosphere. In 1895, the first snake station was established at the Washington Weather Bureau. In 1896, at the Boston Observatory, the box kite was raised to a height of 2000 m, and in 1900, the kite was raised to a height of 4600 m.

In 1897, work with kites began in Russia. They were conducted at the Pavlovsk Magnetic Meteorological Observatory, where a special snake department was opened in 1902.

The works of Russian scientists - Chairman of the Russian Technical Society M.M. - date back to the 90s of the 19th century. Pomortsev and academician M.A. Rykachev on the use of kites in the field of meteorology. Pomortsev created a number of original kites for these purposes, and Rykachev designed special devices. Since 1894, kites have been systematically used to study the upper atmosphere.

The kite was widely used in meteorological observatories in Germany, France and Japan. 3may rose to a very great height. For example, at the Linderberg Observatory (Germany) they achieved a kite lift of more than 7000 m.

At the threshold of the 20th century, kites helped the inventor of radio A.S. Popov in improving wireless telegraph communication - an antenna was lifted into the air on kites.

The first radio communication across the Atlantic Ocean was made using a box kite. The Italian engineer G. Marconi launched a large kite on the island of New Foundlain in 1901, which flew on a wire that served as a receiving antenna.

Not only scientists were involved in the issues of kite flight; military departments were also interested in them. So, in 1899, during maneuvers in the Kyiv Military District, a group of soldiers lifted into the air with the help of a winch a train of several box-shaped kites with a cabin for an observer. The box-shaped kites were built according to the design of Captain S.A. Ulyanin.

The British military department became interested in Hargrave's box kite. Lieutenant Cody of the English army modified Hargrave's snakes. He increased its area by adding side wings placed on all corners of the boxes, increased the strength of the structure and introduced a completely new principle for assembling and disassembling the kite. Military observers began to take to the air on such kites.

At the beginning of the 20th century. Cody's work on snakes was continued by the captain of the French army, Sacconey. He created an even more advanced kite design, which is one of the best to this day. Sacconeus, taking advantage of rich subsidies from the military department, had the opportunity to carry out his experiments on a wide scale. He thoroughly developed the principle of towing kites: one group of kites lifted the main rail (cable) into the air, the other towed the load along the cable. Sacconei set the first records for the height and carrying capacity of kites.

The works of Sacconaeus found their successors in many armies of Europe. In Russia, Colonel Ulyanin created a special kite for the army. A valuable and ingenious innovation in the kites of his design were articulated wings, which automatically increased the area of ​​the kite when the wind weakened. In addition to Ulyanin, Kuznetsov, Prakhov and others were fond of snakes, and they created successful designs. During Russo-Japanese War 1904-1905 in the Russian army there were special snake units.

In parallel with Cody’s work in Europe, mainly in France, other designers also conducted their experiments. Of these, Potter should be mentioned, who changed the location of the bridle attachment and created kites with keel planes that increased the carrying capacity.

An interesting design of the original single-box kite was proposed by the French engineer Lecornu. He created a snake whose box resembles a honeycomb. Lecornu justified the idea of ​​​​building his kite by observing the flight of birds. If you look at a flying bird, you will notice that the planes of the body and wings form a certain angle. Lecornu made the same installation angle of 30 degrees at the horizontal planes of the kite.

During the First World War, troops from various countries, and especially Germany, used tethered balloons for observation posts, the lifting height of which, depending on the battle conditions, reached 2000 m. They made it possible to observe the location of the enemy deep in the front and direct artillery fire through telephone communications. When the wind became too strong, box kites were used instead of balloons. Depending on the strength of the wind, a train was made up of 5-10 large box-shaped kites, which were attached to a cable at a certain distance from each other on long wires. A basket for an observer was tied to the cable. In a strong but fairly uniform wind, the observer rose in the basket to a height of up to 800 m.

This method of observation had the advantage that it made it possible to get closer to the enemy's advanced positions. Kites were not as easily shot as hot air balloons, which were a very large target. In addition, the failure of an individual kite affected the observer's ascent height, but did not cause him to fall. A single incendiary rocket hitting the ball was enough to kill it, since it was filled with flammable hydrogen.

During the First World War, kites were also used to protect important military installations from attack by enemy aircraft by constructing barriers consisting of small tethered balloons and kites that rose to a height of 3000 m. Wire ropes were lowered from the balloons and kites, which were created for the aircraft the enemy is in great danger. Germany has used such barriers to protect submarine yards and hangars in Belgium.

For the snake barriers of hangars near Brussels, large snakes were made in the form of tethered aircraft. The snakes copied the outlines of aircraft of various designs (monoplanes, biplanes) in order to mislead enemy pilots.

In the spring of 1915, an interesting incident occurred in Germany when a tethered aircraft misled not enemy pilots, but its own anti-aircraft battery. One day, early in the morning, a tethered biplane was lifted into the air. Soon after rising, he disappeared into the clouds. When the clouds cleared towards noon, this plane suddenly appeared in their gap. German observers had the impression that the clouds were motionless and that the biplane was flying at fairly high speed. Soon he disappeared into a cloud, only to reappear immediately in the next gap. Air surveillance and communications posts reported: “Enemy aircraft.” Anti-aircraft batteries opened barrage fire. Guns thundered around the airfield, trying to destroy the air enemy. The plane disappeared into the clouds, then reappeared, and the barrage continued until the Germans finally realized that they had fired at their own tethered plane. The latter was not shot down only because when firing, an adjustment was made for the imaginary speed of the aircraft and the shells invariably ended up ahead of the stationary target.

Kite making in Europe reached its peak towards the end of the war, in 1918. After this, interest in kites waned. The rapid development of aviation began to displace snakes from military affairs.

Many designers who were previously interested in making kites switched to working on airplanes. But their experience in building kites did not pass without a trace. It certainly played a role in the history of aviation during the first stage of aircraft development.

In the Soviet Union, the hobby for kites began almost simultaneously with aircraft modeling. Already at the first all-Union competitions of flying models in 1926, quite well-flying box-shaped kites were presented, built by Kyiv aircraft modelers under the leadership of I. Babyuk. Eleven canvas kites with a total working area of ​​42.5 m2 were launched on a 3 mm thick steel cable from a special balloon winch. The design of these kites is a modified classic Sacconean type.

The number of box kite trains submitted to all-Union aircraft modeling competitions increased. Eight trains took part in the 1935 competition. Then, for the first time, the various uses of kites were most fully demonstrated. “Air mailmen” ran up and down the railing, with the help of which “parachutist” dolls jumped, “bombs” and leaflets were dropped, and a smoke screen was demonstrated. The “parachutist” dolls made long jumps following the dropped live “landing force” - white mice in a cage. Dropping model gliders from kites has become commonplace. From a high-altitude launch, many glider models flew several kilometers away.

In pioneer camps, kites were increasingly used for signaling during war games. It was not uncommon in winter to see a skier, towed by a kite, easily gliding across the snow.

Kite making became one of the sections of the initial aviation training of pioneers and schoolchildren, and kites became full-fledged aircraft along with models of airplanes and gliders.

At the Serpukhov House of Pioneers in 1931, a children's snake station was created and successfully operated. The managers of this station were annually invited with their kite team to the All-Union aircraft modeling competitions.

Soon the experience of the Serpukhovites became widely known. All-Union competitions began to be held independently every year. The snake stations of Saratov, Kyiv, Tula, Stalingrad and other cities represented their teams at the competition.

The leaders of children's kite stations and young “snake riders” with great enthusiasm designed kites and launched them, and carried out work among pioneers and schoolchildren.

In 1937, the Central Council of Osoaviakhim of the USSR organized the First All-Union Box Kite Competition in Zvenigorod. Unfavorable meteorological conditions (lack of the necessary wind) did not make it possible to achieve record-breaking kite flights. But still, although at a low altitude, it was possible to test their design features.

In 1938, in the village of Shcherbinka (now a city in the Moscow region), the Second All-Union Box Kite Competition was held, at which designs of exceptional interest were shown. For example, the Serpukhov children's kite station presented kites of a modified "Grund" design with a load-bearing area of ​​20 m2. The kite lifted a load weighing up to 60 kg. A kite parachute, a kite glider and others were shown.

At the III All-Union Box Kite Competition, which took place in 1939 in Serpukhov, records were set for kite flight to altitude. A single kite, designed by the Kyiv aircraft modeller (that’s what the creators of kites began to be called) Gromov, was raised to a height of 1550 m. A train, made up of box-shaped kites designed by the Saratov aircraft modeller Grigorenko, was raised to a height of 1800 m. During the Great Patriotic War Patriotic War(1943) A. Grigorenko was awarded for the combat use of box kites.

At the IV All-Union competitions, the technical requirements for the design of kites were clearly defined. For example, each kite had to be kept in the air at a wind speed of no more than 4-5 m/s at the ground, the load-bearing area of ​​each kite should be at least 5 m 2, the total area of ​​the kite train should be such that with a wind of no more than 7 m/s it was possible to lift a load weighing at least 80 kg. The number of kites should be no more than 10 pieces. The head serpent could have large area, the configuration and color of the kites is arbitrary.

On each snake train it was possible to install various devices and mechanisms, for example, “air mailmen” capable of lifting a load weighing up to 2 kg, locks for composing a snake train (with a rail diameter of at least 3 mm), devices for aerial photography and others.

According to the terms of the competition, each team had to present a game scenario, during which they were supposed to launch a snake train. The scenario could include, for example, a bombing, i.e. dropping “bombs” on some previously planned target, an “airborne assault” (dropping dolls), a ski race, transporting a wounded person on a sleigh pulled by a kite, sound, light and other types of alarms from the kite, dropping reports and leaflets.

Competitions were held for the flight altitude of a single kite, the launch height of a kite train, the maximum load capacity of a kite train, and the speed of assembling and launching a single kite.

To ensure success in competitions, many groups of circles made various auxiliary means. For example, in the Serpukhov House of Pioneers, model airplane schoolchildren made a dynamometer to test the strength of a handrail. A dynamometer mounted on the snake turned on a red light at critical voltage. In the same team, an anemometer was made from an old alarm clock, and with the help of this device the change in the strength of the meter was recorded.

Schoolchildren installed a barograph on the snake, a device for throwing given point a single “parachutist” doll or a group “landing force”.

Young aircraft modelers at the Kolomna Station for Young Technicians (Moscow region) built box-shaped kites with wing flaps, which provided the kite with greater stability at an angle of about 50 degrees. Aircraft modelers at the Voronezh Young Technicians Station built profiled box kites.

Saratov aircraft modelers brought to the competition a kite train consisting of five box-shaped kites, each kite weighing up to 9 kg. The head snake had a total area of ​​17 m2. There was a camera installed on the snake train that took 12 photographs. The train was capable of towing one skier.

A team of Kyiv aircraft modelers brought a kite train of six kites to the competition. It was possible to drop a large “parachutist” doll from it (up to 70 cm, while the parachute dome was 4 m in diameter).

After World War II, interest in kites moved into a new direction - the development and use of its aerobatic properties.

In 1949, Francis Rogallo invents the flexible wing.

And in 1964, Domino Jalbert began to use a parafoil type wing, which contributed to the development of such modern aircraft as the paraglider and sports parachute.

With the advent of Peter Powell's two-line aerobatic kite in 1972, interest in sport piloting increased sharply.

In the 70s, several Englishmen used round kite parachutes to create the necessary traction force on water skis. In 1977, the Dutchman Gisbertus Panhuis received a patent. The athlete stood on a board, which was driven by a parachute kite.

The Swiss Ren Kugn sailed in the mid-80s on a structure similar to a wakeboard, using a paraglider to create thrust. He was probably the first athlete to make a high jump in a light wind.

In the 80s, the founder of the kite buggy sport, Peter Lynn from New Zealand, created a buggy design made of stainless steel. Kite buggy is a special three-wheeled cart for riding behind a kite.

And finally, in 1984, the Frenchmen Dominique and Bruno Leganu, who were involved in windsurfing and surfing, received a patent for a “sea wing” that could be easily relaunched from the surface of the water. The Leganu brothers devoted themselves entirely to the development of kitesurfing, starting in the early 1980s. A design feature of their kite was the front inflatable balloon, which made it quite easy to lift the kite if it fell on the water.

Municipal budgetary educational institution Suzopskaya secondary comprehensive school

Master Class

"Making

kite"

Compiled by: physics teacher

Istoshina N.S.

Relevance

This development will help develop children's technical creativity. By engaging in modeling, young designers receive useful knowledge and skills. The kite serves as a good tool for children's games and competitions. It is especially valuable that these games can be collective.

Explanatory note

Nowadays, it is very rare to see children flying kites.

In this methodological development A summary of a lesson for children of primary and secondary school age on making and flying a kite is offered. The product can be made from available materials with various design options for the aerodynamic surface and tail section (slats, plastic bags, film, used cassettes).

The conversation material helps to replenish children’s knowledge on the topic of the lesson and expand their technical horizons. Children get acquainted with various types kites and techniques for flying them, get acquainted with the use of kites.

Using the technological map, students learn to independently plan their practical activities, think technically, and consolidate their skills in performing simple assembly operations.

The teacher uses individualized learning technology, where the adult is the creator and organizer of an environment that encourages children to learn. The teacher’s task is to ensure that each child’s work is successful, so that each child enjoys the difficulty he has overcome. The main thing is that the child sees the results of his work.

Target: developing motivation for technical modeling of kites, cooperation with students, providing mutual assistance, improving labor training and vocational guidance of schoolchildren, revealing their creative abilities

educational– get acquainted with the section of physics “Aerostatics”, consider methods, obtain patterns, aircraft, develop skills in applying knowledge in practice; see the results of your work. The most important thing is to develop children’s interest in science and technology, creativity, and help them consciously choose future profession, which would bring benefit to people and pleasure to oneself, would become the meaning of life.

developing– study the history of the creation of kites, expand cognitive interest, develop students’ skills and abilities in practice,

teach how to make a flat kite according to a technological map;

improve the ability to work according to technological maps and sketches;
educational– to form an interest in physics, develop Creative skills students, logical thinking, initiative, activity, independence in the process of activity, nurturing in children an active interest in technical creativity, nurturing a work culture, developing and shaping design abilities and skills through the manufacture of kites.

Logistics support

To conduct this lesson you need:

Training room;

Equipment (tables, chairs, blackboard, etc.);

Technical means (computer, projector, screen for presentation);

Materials: slats, PVA glue, fishing line, plastic bags, tape cassettes, narrow and wide tape, superglue.

Tools: scissors, pencil, pen, ruler, square, jigsaw, glue brush, sandpaper, needle.

Event plan

1. Organizational moment.

2. The history of the creation of kites.

3. Use of kites for research in physics.

4. Use of kites for military purposes.

5. Use of kites for meteorological research

6. Using kites as an additional source of energy

7. World Kite Clubs.

9. Organization of the workplace.

10. Practical work.

11. Methodical advice during kite flying period

12. Launching kites.

13. Summing up. Rewarding.

1. Hello guys!

Greetings. Communicate the theme and purpose of the event.

Statement of the lesson objective

2. History of the creation of kites. Introductory speech by the teacher.

The first mentions of kites date back to the 2nd century BC, in China (the so-called dragon kite).

Few people know that a kite is a long-known and simplest aircraft heavier than air, which contributed to the emergence of many inventions and discoveries, the study of the laws of aerodynamics, and the great achievement of mankind - the creation of aircraft heavier than air. A kite is a tethered aircraft that is heavier than air. It is supported in the air by wind pressure on a surface placed at a certain angle to the direction of wind movement and held by a rail from the ground.

3. Use of kites for research in physics.

Using kites as an additional source of energy.

For a long time, snakes did not find practical use. From the second half of the 18th century. they are beginning to be widely used in atmospheric scientific research.

In 1749, A. Wilson used a kite to measure air temperature at altitude.

In 1752, B. Franklin conducted an experiment in which, with the help of a kite, he discovered the electrical nature of lightning and subsequently, thanks to the results obtained, invented a lightning rod. M.V. Lomonosov conducted similar experiments and, independently of Franklin, came to the same results.

The experiments carried out to study atmospheric electricity were extremely dangerous. On June 26, 1753, while flying a kite in a thunderstorm, Lomonosov’s colleague, academician G.V., died. Richman.

In the 19th century, snakes were also widely used for meteorological observations.

At the beginning of the 20th century, kites contributed to the creation of radio. A.S. Popov used snakes to raise antennas to considerable heights.

It is important to note the use of kites in the development of early airplanes. In particular, A.F. Mozhaisky, before starting construction of his aircraft, conducted a series of tests with kites pulled by a team of horses. Based on the results of these tests, the dimensions of the aircraft were chosen, which should provide it with sufficient lifting force.

4. Use of kites for military purposes.

Around three hundred years BC. China was engulfed in war. The inhabitants of the Wei'an-Kong fortress rebelled against the authority of the emperor of that time, and the brave general Han-Chin was unable to take this fortress. However, the emperor ordered to defeat the rebels at all costs. Since a number of frontal attacks did not give the desired result, the general decided to undermine the walls impregnable fortress. With the tools available at that time, the tunnel could take years to dig, and to avoid this, the shortest path to the fortress walls had to be found.

To do this, it was necessary to somehow measure the distance to the fortress, and it was then that the general came up with the idea of ​​​​creating the world's first kite. The general tied a rope to his invention. After the kite was launched, it flew without stopping until it hit the wall of Wei'an Kong, after which the rope was wound up, and in this way the distance to the fortress walls was measured. This ruse helped the inventive general take the city, a tunnel was quickly dug, and the fortress surrendered.

The practical capabilities of the kite attracted the attention of the military. In 1848 K.I. Konstantinov developed a system for rescuing ships in distress near the shore using kites. During the First World War, troops from various countries used kites to lift artillery fire observers and reconnaissance of enemy positions to heights.

5. Use of kites for meteorological research

At the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries, kites were used for meteorological studies of the upper layers of the atmosphere, photographing the area, for sporting purposes, and so on. With the development of aeronautics and aircraft, kites began to be used exclusively for entertainment and sporting purposes.

6. Using kites as an additional source of energy

The German company SkySails has used kites as an additional power source for cargo ships, first testing it in January 2008 on the MS Beluga Skysails. Tests on this 55 meter ship showed that when favorable conditions fuel consumption is reduced by 30%.

7. World Kite Clubs.

Clubs and communities are being created all over the world, uniting kite lovers - both designers and simply flyers (Kiteflyers). One of the famous ones is KONE - the Kite Club of New England, part of the Kite Flying Association of America.

Kiting is a sport in which the athlete moves around the terrain with the help of a kite.

The second Sunday in October is World Kite Day, on this day kite lovers all over the world fly their flying “pets”.

IN last years The so-called aerobatic kites were developed - specially shaped kites controlled by two handrails. An aerobatic kite, unlike any other, is capable of free gliding in the air, which provides its special properties. They are designed to perform a set of aerobatic maneuvers of varying complexity.

8. Repetition of information about kites.

8. Repetition of information about kites.

What is a kite? (the simplest aircraft)

What does it remind you of? (bird in flight)

– What types of kites do you know? (Framework: flat, dihedral, box-shaped, semi-rigid. Frameless: kites, paragliders.

– What structural elements does a kite consist of? (Sheathing, frame, connecting parts, bridle, tail, handrail, launch reel)

– Where and when did kites appear? Their distribution? Their appearance in Europe? (Kites appeared in China more than 3 thousand years ago. From China, kites spread to Asia, later to Europe, America, and Australia. Kites arrived in Europe in the 16th century.)

What shapes did kites have in Europe at that time? (In the 16th century in Europe, kites were flat, diamond-shaped, and for a long time this was the main one.)

Using kites?

What is a lifeline?

Date of World Kite Day? (second Sunday of October)

9. Organization of the workplace.

Unity game.

Guys, raise your right hand, those who came with an open heart. Thank you. Raise your right hand those who are ready to work for new knowledge. Thank you. Place your right hand on your heart, those who treat everyone present with love. Thank you. Let's light the fire of creativity.

(Everyone wishes each other success, creativity, good luck)

Today you will make a flat Eddie kite.

The Eddy kite is a diamond-shaped kite named after its inventor, English meteorologist William Eddy. Beginning in 1893, the kite was used for meteorological work for more than thirty years.

Our task is to learn how to make a flat kite according to the technological map. The technological process applies to all types of flat kites and, having mastered the process of making one type, you can subsequently make any designs of flat kites.

Repetition of safety rules when working with tools. Checking the availability of materials and tools.

10. Practical work

Familiarization with the technological map and the image of the kite.

snake body

We cut off 2 slats - 60 and 35 cm. We fold them perpendicularly, stepping back from the top of the longest one 15 cm. We fix the cross with tape (the cross is the intersection of two slats). We wrap the ends of the slats with tape and make cuts in them with a jigsaw 1 cm deep. We stretch the fishing line through them, creating the contours of the kite. We secure the fishing line with tape at the top so that it doesn’t jump out. We lay the frame on polyethylene. We outline with a marker with a margin of 1.5 cm for the hem, and cut it out. We wrap the edges of the film inward, around the fishing line, and secure them with tape. The body of the kite is ready. (Figure 1)

Bridles

We tie two pieces of fishing line 25 cm long (with a margin) to the edges of the short rail at points A and D - these are the side parts.

We tie the long side (35 cm) of the bridle to the upper end B. We coat the knots with superglue. We tie all three ends of the bridle together and tie a lifeline there (A lifeline is a tightly stretched cable, both ends of which are secured to ship structures (stands, matches)). We secure this place with tape.

Snake tail

It can be made from rope, ribbons, bows. We will use tape tape. We unwind the cassette and cut it to about 3 meters long. We tie it into a rope. We attach the tail with tape to the lower end of the kite at point D.

Using felt-tip pens we make a “face”. The kite is ready to fly!

In this lesson, children have the opportunity to make a kite in any color scheme.

In the process of work, the teacher helps children with advice and, if necessary, with action. When working with children, good advice and help and support are very important, but not imposing your opinion.

This training session uses various teaching methods (verbal, visual, practical).

11. Methodological advice for the period of kite flying

The final independent assessment by children of the work performed is carried out on the football field while flying a kite. The flight characteristics of the kite and the quality of its manufacture are also checked there.

Before flying a kite, the children must be given instructions on how to fly a kite safely.

To test the flying qualities of a kite, children are invited to organize competitions for flight time or flight altitude.

We must remember that the kite is launched in dry weather, with a wind speed of 6-7 m/s (to launch kites you need a wind speed of at least 3 m/s and no more than 14 m/s).

You can go to the place chosen for launch. It is better if these are spacious hilltops, where the wind blows evenly and strongly, but without gusts.

It is necessary to emphasize to children that they should move away from tall trees, buildings, and high-voltage wires.

– And now you can check the models you have made in action by running

Methodological advice for the period of summing up results

Summing up the results of the work, analyzing and evaluating it is of great educational importance.

Summing up the lesson, it is necessary to focus the children’s attention on what knowledge they acquired during the lesson (familiarity with kites), what skills they mastered (work on the technological map).

We must remember that only critical, remarkable things do not essentially deprive children of joy and can cause reluctance to continue working, therefore the assessment must be objective and justified.

Summing up the results of this training session takes place in the form of an exhibition with a collective assessment by the teacher and self-assessment.

12. Flying kites

This kite is launched on level ground (stadium, field) using a rope. The proposed kite shows good flight characteristics.

13. Summing up. Rewarding.

1. Pantyukhin, S. P. “Children’s snake station.” - State Publishing House of the Defense Industry, Moscow, 1941.

2. Zavorotov, V., Viktorchik, A.. “Kites”. - "UT for skillful hands"(supplement to the magazine" Young technician"), №7, 1977.

3. Pantyukhin, S. P. “Kites”. - M.: DOSAAF, 1984. - 88 p., ill.

Pogadaev, Victor. “The bright moon-the serpent is circling” - “Eastern Collection”, No. 4, 2009, p. 129-134

5. Magazine No. 8 “We do it ourselves” p.9

You can ask the question, what is this? The simplest design flying on a thread in the wind? A triangle of colored paper on which Merry Poppins landed on the heads of her children? But a common toy for us, such as a kite, is not quite as simple as it might seem at first glance.

The history of kites dates back to the times ancient China. There he was called a snake, since on the Dragon Festival, which took place on September 9, huge bodies made of paper, which had a snake head at the end, were launched into the sky. Starting from the second century, this tradition is not forgotten today.

In the ancient chronicles of the Slavs and Byzantines there are various references to the similarities of kites. Only it was more likely military equipment than toys. In order to confuse the enemy or simply frighten him, Prince Oleg used “horses and people made of paper, armed and gilded.” And during the capture of England, William the Conqueror in 1066 used kites for special military signals.

At this point in time, history fell silent and snakes became just entertainment, which was far from science. However, such an aircraft has not yet flown that was built without the law of aerodynamics. And it was this toy that helped discover such a law.

Previously, only a few types of kites were known - single-plane ones, that is, those with a tail, and composite ones, which are connected into a flexible system. The famous mathematician L. Euler said in 1756 that a kite is a children's toy that is underestimated by scientists, but it makes you think seriously about yourself. The achievements of Icarus and Daedalus were tried to be repeated 140 years later by the German engineer Lilienthal and the Austrian Hargrav. Hargrave launched a man into the air for the first time using this device and did not stop there. The result was a box-shaped kite that did not require a tail for stability during flight. Such flying boxes, which Hargrave came up with, pushed the concept of aerodynamics and helped in the creation of the first aircraft, and became the 3rd possible design - multi-plane.

Mikhail Vasilyevich, the guardian of our science, did not pass by the kite either. He also played with a toy. Lomonosov studied the nature of lightning and the upper layers of the atmosphere with its help. Mikhail Vasilyevich used a kite as a guide on June 26, 1753, launching it on a string during a thunderstorm. Only this experiment almost took his life, but became successful, since the scientist received a discharge of static electricity.

Box kites were constantly modified by military personnel and engineers, including during the outbreak of the First World War. During technological progress, this invention served not only peaceful purposes. Snakes were used during military operations for protection. Small balloons, as well as kites, were raised over particularly important military installations at about 3,000 meters so that their wire ropes could shoot down enemy planes.

This invention even has its own holiday, which is called “Kite Day”.

Date: 2013-08-21

The history of the origin and emergence of the kite is based primarily on legends, traditions and customs. The thing is that the materials used in the manufacture of kites could not be preserved for a long time. Wood, paper, fabric, leaves and branches of plants and similar materials are destroyed quite quickly, especially since no one specifically preserved their kites for descendants. Therefore, ancient legends are our main source of data.

So, let's remember that there is a grain of truth in every fairy tale, put nascent skepticism in a corner and move directly to the story of the kite.

Most likely, the appearance of the kite occurred simultaneously in China and Malaysia. It was in China that the most popular figure for such an item was a snake with the head of a dragon, which is apparently why we have retained this name for several millennia. After this, with Buddhist pilgrims, the kite entered Japan, and from there, with Japanese traders and travelers, it spread throughout all the countries of the Pacific Ocean.

The emergence of the idea of ​​a flying structure is undoubtedly based, like most great discoveries, on facts and phenomena observed in nature. The most popular story is about a Chinese peasant working in the field whose wide-brimmed hat was torn off his head by the wind. At the last moment, the peasant managed to grab the braid tied to the hat, and until the gust of wind ended, this hat was floating in the air, struggling to escape into the sky, like a bird.

Of course, I don’t think that this peasant even thought about it, much less immediately went to make a flying hat, but it doesn’t really matter at all. History knows many examples of the successful use of natural actions for the benefit of humanity - this is the principle of the boomerang, and the invention of the wheel and much more. No one knows anymore how exactly this happened, and who exactly thought about it before - the significance of the invention and its popularity absorbed the importance of persons and circumstances. So, was it the wind that blew off a peasant’s hat, or that of another ruler of another dynasty, or even his hat, or maybe some traveler noticed a huge bird pulling a rope that had been stolen from a pasture and tied to it, a goat that almost managed to escape? There is room for your imagination to run wild...

From the first centuries of its life, the kite was used in three main areas - military operations, rituals and everyday life.

The use of a kite for military purposes was primarily limited to measuring the distance to enemy targets, raising scouts into the air, intimidating enemies (various sound devices were attached to the kite and launched at night into the enemy’s camp, the flying kites made frightening drawn-out sounds, demoralizing superstitious warriors - in 202 BC, General Huang Teng did this, changing the outcome of the battle in his favor).

In Southeast Asia and New Zealand, kites were made from palm leaves and were used for fishing by hanging bait from a kite flying over the water. A woven web was used as bait, which dragged along the water surface and attracted the attention of fish. The victim, attacking the bait, became entangled in the web and became the prey of a fisherman in a boat tied to a snake. Rural workers used kites to scare away birds from the fields, using them as garden scarecrows, or rather field scarecrows.

In India, from ancient times to the present day, kite battles have always been popular, attracting a huge number of spectators to the performance.

In different parts of the Asian region there are a great many legends, myths, fairy tales and epics in which the kite played a very important role. Here, for example, is the story of the samurai Tamemoto, who was exiled to Hachijo Island with his son. Tamemoto did not accept his fate, and, having made a huge kite, rescued his son from captivity, sending him to the mainland.

However, there is real evidence of the existence of giant kites, for example, the Japanese Wang-Wan - a wingspan of 27 m and a tail length of 146 m. Such a colossus weighed about 2.5 tons. To launch such a kite, 200 people were required; a ship's anchor cable was used for the lifeline. If a fairly strong wind was blowing when this kite was launched, then it was impossible to lower Va-Wan to the ground with human power; one had to wait for the wind to weaken. The first evidence of such giants dates back to 1692 in Japan.

Paper lanterns and even fireworks were attached to the kites - it was a fabulous, fantastic show. At night this set looked especially fascinating.

Rituals - it seemed that by moving a little closer to the sky, where the gods lived and, attracting their attention with their bright appearance, there was a greater chance of drawing the attention of the celestials to their prayers. So, for example, by flying a kite, they scared away evil spirits and protected themselves from evil forces, diseases, and asked for a rich harvest. When a child was born in Korea, a kite was launched into the sky, which carried with it all the troubles and misfortunes that came into this world with the newborn.

The European life of the kite in the traditional Asian version began at the end of the 13th century, after the return of the famous traveler Marco Polo from his expedition to Asia. In the description of his trip, M. Polo described in detail the purpose and design of Chinese kites.

However, similar designs existed much earlier - in Ancient Greece And Ancient Rome. Moreover, there is even a hypothesis that the ancient Greek scientist Archytas, having seen a Chinese kite (how could this be? - I did not find a single confirmation) constructed a wooden bird.

Ancient Rome used the power of wind in much the same way as the Chinese. In the first two centuries AD. Roman soldiers used original fabric kites in the form of various animals with wide open mouths as military flags. Such flags were mounted on high poles so that they could be seen from afar. At the same time, they gave confidence to their warriors and frightened their enemies - the developing bright voluminous bodies and tails of animals threatened the enemy with inevitable defeat. In addition, the weather vane showed the strength and direction of the wind, helping the shooters correct their actions.

In Europe, kites became widespread from the 17th century, and they gained greatest popularity from the beginning of the 18th century. And this is almost 500 years after the return of the great traveler Marco Polo from Asia at the end of the 13th century.

M.V. used a kite in his experiments. Lomonosov, I. Newton, L. Euler.

In 1752, Benjamin Franklin used a kite to prove the electrical nature of lightning. He launched a kite during a thunderstorm, to the rail of which he tied an iron key. The lightning that hit the kite burned it, but along the wet rope it reached the key and sparked around it for some time. The consequence of this experience was the invention of the lightning rod.

Data obtained from studying the aerodynamics of a kite were important material for determining the design of the wings of the first aircraft.

The use of kites for military purposes continued until the early 20th century and peaked in the first world war. Kites lifted scouts into the air, who transmitted data to the ground about the localization of enemy forces. Why, they could quickly draw up a map of the area, and this greatly facilitated the tactics of military operations. Kites were used to drop propaganda materials, incendiary bombs and even spies into enemy territory. Steel cables were attached to large kites and raised on the approaches to protected objects; such an obstacle presented a serious obstacle to enemy pilots.

After this, from about the 20s of the 20th century, with the beginning of the rapid development of aviation, kites gradually first faded into the background, and then completely stopped their active military operations.

In the Soviet Union, since the 30s of the last century, kites have been used with great enthusiasm in the active life of the country's population. Pioneers used kites as signaling during war games. In winter, it was possible to turn a kite into a tug, not forgetting to first get on skis or sit on a sled.

Kites for various purposes were assembled into entire “air trains” of several kites of varying sizes. The number of kites in such a set reached up to ten. This made it possible to repeatedly increase the power of the kite, increase its survivability and functionality when changing weather or other external factors.

Studying the capabilities of a kite and the variety of purposes for its use makes it possible for scientists and researchers to conduct experiments leading to very unexpected results.

One of the most striking examples is the assumption of the American Maureen Clemmon that the Egyptian pyramids were built using the traction force of a kite. This woman's enthusiasm inspired a research group from the California Institute of Technology in 2001, led by aeronautics professor Mori Gharib, to conduct real experiments in lifting weights using a kite. The experiment was a success - they managed to lift and place in a vertical position an obelisk lying on the ground, 4.5 meters long and weighing about three tons. The positive result of the experiment, as well as one of the Egyptian bas-reliefs, located in the Cairo Museum and depicting a large bird-like figure, many people under it and ropes stretched between them, gave rise to the leaders of these experiments to offer their vision of the construction process Egyptian pyramids. I won’t say anything, especially since citizens versed in Egyptology will throw slippers at me, but as a version, this hypothesis has a right to life - yes, with the help of a kite it is possible to lift weights of any volume to any height. The result depends only on the size of the kite.

Currently, kites are not simply forgotten, they live full, active lives. Kites help meteorologists study the upper atmosphere. Not only a thermometer and a barometer, but also photo and video equipment can be mounted on kites, subsequently using the data obtained for topographic maps. Using a kite for such purposes is much more profitable, simpler and cheaper than using heavy flying equipment. Making and flying a kite is one of the favorite pastimes of hundreds of thousands of children and adults who organize mass demonstrations and kite flying competitions in different parts of the world. Radio amateurs, both 100 years ago and now, use a kite to obtain a stable signal. In this case, the wire on which the kite is attached acts as a powerful antenna. This method was also used by A.S. Popov in the era of the birth of radio.

Entertainment is the inherent purpose of a kite. You can launch it into the sky and perform aerobatics and aerobatic maneuvers there, or you can use it as a tug and enthusiastically ski on snow-covered plains or on water boards on sea waves. This pleasure is called kitesurfing, and nowadays there are entire companies specializing in the production of kitesurfing equipment. And on the Internet there are several dozen portals offering their services for learning how to kite in winter and summer.

The kite has its own holiday. Every year on the second Sunday of October, World Kite Day is celebrated all over the world.

That's all.

Until next time on the pages of the site.