Kites: the rise and fall of a scientific object

Between 1753 and 1914, kites were used as scientific objects in different branches of physics. First, as experimental instruments in electrical experiments. Then, still in the 1750s, we find theoretical models of the flight of kites. In the late 19th century, sophisticated technological kites were a...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Suay Belenguer, Juan Miguel, Teira Serrano, David
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2014
País:España
Institución:Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia
Repositorio:e-spacio. Repositorio Institucional de la UNED
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:e-spacio.uned.es:20.500.14468/19410
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14468/19410
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:kite
electrical kite
aerology
glider
Descripción
Sumario:Between 1753 and 1914, kites were used as scientific objects in different branches of physics. First, as experimental instruments in electrical experiments. Then, still in the 1750s, we find theoretical models of the flight of kites. In the late 19th century, sophisticated technological kites were also used for aerological measurement. Finally, at the turn of the past century, kites served early aeronautical researchers as scale models of wings. In all cases, there was a rise and a fall: kites were reasonably successful in all these roles, but they could not produce interesting enough results to stand the competition of more efficient alternatives.