Lets Go Fly A Kite

Lets go and fly a kite. That was the remark that used to be heard in every hamlet every spring through the country side.

During the past few decades this form of amusement has faded. Very few kids were interested in this sort. Other phases of interest came along. Once in a while a father or grandfather would get his son or grandson interested in the sport which the 'old man' participated in as a youth. The mystery of pasting a sheet of newspaper or wrapping paper on light strips of wood and strong string was revealed in a short time.

The most simple kites were diamond shaped. Today there are hundreds of various styles and shapes. Many take hours to make. Some are expensive if bought commercially.

Actually kite flying is several thousand years old. Records have been found where the Greeks and the Egyptians were masters of kite flying. The early Dutch traders are credited with introducing kite flying in Europe. The early settlers in America did not believe in thes form of amusement, but every school child today has read the story of Benjamin Franklin and his experiments with this toy.

Tourists traveling to the famous Niagara Falls usually travel to Canada over the long suspension bridge which spans the gorge. They are surprised to learn that in 1848 the first line to be drawn over the river for this bridge was accomplished by a young boy flying a kite. His feat won him a ten dollar prize. Perhaps the most astonishing feat performed in 1901 was accomplished by a young Texan touring Europe with a Wild West Show, crossing the English Channel by means of a boat drawn kite.

The telephone and electric wires of the cities years ago were literally covered with parts of kites. As a result, laws were passed forbidding kite flying.

President Kennedy played an important part in reviving this pastime when he asked Congress to repeal an act of 1892 which prohibited kite flying in the District of Columbia. Contests were held on the grounds of the Washington monument. As a result interest in kite flying has once again been spreading all over the United States.

Perhaps the various groups who work with youths of the county could stage contests in kite flying. This would be a first for our boys and girls.