Time, it has been said, marches resolutely on and leaves a record of what has gone before if we are careful to observe. 

There are so many historical events over the course of time.  The most recent events and happenings are well recorded and documented but can still be open to varying interpretation.  The  more distant events are harder to trace and often do not have many validating or corroborating sources of information.  So it is with the history of the earth, of mankind, of cultures and nations, and of devices and inventions.

 Several years ago, sixteen to be exact, I set out to puzzle out for myself a credible timeline of kite history.  The purpose in my mind was simple: order the events and chronicle the people who had contributed to the development of the kite and used it in innovative and interesting ways.  A simple task, I was sure.

 Not so!  Here I am sixteen years later publishing for the first time my efforts at recording a brief, and hopefully useful, chronology of the kite.  I have postponed the publication of any of the timelines on this web site many times. I did this because I continued to find conflicting evidence about the order and timing of events.  Revision, checking more sources, update and more revision became an ongoing state of affairs. 

I believe that the timelines published here today are very accurate, but they are not infallible.  As with any historical effort covering a broad scope there is room for error even with the most thorough checking of facts having been carried out. 

I know that these timelines will need to be revised again and again as new information is brought forward and as conflicting evidence challenges details or dates.

I have published the timelines at this juncture because I believe in their accuracy.   I know that the scrutiny of kiters and people with a  deep interest in things historical will undoubtedly lead to challenges and the correction of possible errors.  I welcome your input, your questions, your dialogue and your sharing of factual evidence.  Only through such cooperative effort can a properly validated timeline of kite history be available for use by students in schools and for reference by kiters who would like to know more about the development of this amazing device, the kite.

To begin your journey through time and experience the chronicle of the kite, I invite you to visit the Best-Breezes Timeline of Kite History. 

Please contact me if you wish more information, have questions or can suggest some sources or evidence to improve the timeline.

Bob White - Hifliercanada - October 30, 2006 

_______________________________________ 

 Captain Jean-Luc Picard:

"Time is a companion that goes with us on a journey.  It reminds us to cherish each moment, because it will never come again. What we leave behind is not as important as how we have lived."

played by Patrick Stewart, from the film "Star Trek: Generations"

Photo sequences of the flight of the Japanese Megakite, the third version of the World's Largest Kite, have been posted.  The news releases for the flight occurred today, January 15, 2006, but a photo record on the web site of the Japan Kite Association shows the correct date of the flight as January 8-9, 2006.

Thanks to Sharon Musto of Winnipeg, MB for drawing the photo links to my attention.  Sharon is the Region 13 Representative of the American Kitefliers Association. Region 13 is the International zone, representing all kite fliers outside the United States.

1. Megakite in Tokyo - photos by Masami Takakuwa & Katsutaka Murooka
2. Kite World On-Line - 2006世界一の大凧揚げ　東京・晴海　1月8日～9日

Here are a few highlight photos, in reduced size, from the two photo sites.

A.  Masaaki Modegi, President of the Japan Kite Association briefs "Japan's World's Largest Kite Team".

 B.  The Japanese version of the World's Largest Kite fills with air prior to flight. 

 
C..  The Japanese megakite takes flight.

 D.  Kite Aerial Photography view of Japanese version of World's Largest Kite, showing Tokyo skyline in the background.

News media today (Jan. 15, 2006) reported that Masaaki Modegi, president of the Japan Kite Association and world renowned kite flyer, flew Japan's version of the world's largest kite on Jan. 8-9, 2006 at Harumi Pier in Tokyo's Chuo-ku.  Assisted by a team of skilled kite fliers, the 25-metre by 40-metre (approx. 80 ft. x 132 ft.)  kite flew at an altitude of 30 metres in a light breeze.

The kite was  completed in November last year by New Zealand kite designer Peter Lynn.  This was it's inaugural flight.  It is expected that the kite will be flown in a number of festivals in Japan during the coming months.

This is the third kite of this size making the Japanese version one of a trilogy of kites that claims the current title of World's Largest Kite.  The other two kites are owned by Kuwait and David Gomberg of Gomberg Kite Productions in Neotsu, OR, representing the United States.

For more information on the world's largest kites visit my earlier Journal entry on this topic. 

These kites are huge.  They cover approximately 1.5 times the area of an NFL football field and require the application of stringent safety precautions to fly, generally at very low altitudes (typically around 30 metres).

 Over the years there have been several records set in the category of "World's Larget Kite".  Likely each new record size established will continue to become a target for skilled builders of these kite behemoths to try to better.

The most recent announced entry into the quest for the title is the upcoming effort by the Japan Kite Association to attempt to fly one of the world's largest kites in the sky above Tokyo in January 2006.

The Japanese kite, measuring 25 by 40 meters for a total surface area of 1,000 square meters, is the same size as kites flown in Kuwait in March and in the United States in September. These latter two kites, built as "pillow kites" in the shape of the flags of the respective nations are currently tied for the title of world's largest kite.

The upcoming Japanese kite will be of the same "pillow" type, or as the Japanese call it, a "futon-dako" for its structural resemblance to Japanese bedding.

The Daily Yomiuri reports that "the kite-flying event will take place on Jan. 8 and 9 from 1:30 p.m. at the Harumi Pier in Chuo Ward. To fly the behemoth, a rope attached to the kite will be fixed to a truck. About 80 members of the association will take part in the event under (Masaaki) Modegi's command." (See complete article - Dec. 24, 2005Modegi is the head of the Japan Kite Association.

The record holding pillow kites kites are designed by Peter Lynn of New Zealand, the world's foremost designer of gigantic kites.  Peter is also world renowned for his innovative work with kite traction (buggies, kite sailing, the new 'Kite-Cat', and kite skiing).

Prior to the development and flight of the massive pillow kite flags of Kuwait and the United States of America, Peter's famous Megabite Kite held the world's record for size from 1995 through January of 2005.  Megabite had 630 sq.m. of lifting surface area.  So, the new pillow flag kites are larger by 350 sq.m or approximately 30% larger.

Having seen Megabite in person at both the Verdun Kite Festival in Montreal, Quebec and at St. Johns, Newfoundland and Labrador, I was awed by the size and complexity of launching and safely flying such beasts.

[Megabite filled with air and about to be launched in 1995.]

Hopefully some pictures of the newest kite in the world's largest category will surface early in January 2006.