Who Made the First Kite?

As you are relaxing on a breezy day flying a kite through the air with your children, maybe they will ask you about the history of kites. Kites have an interesting history and they been around since around 770 B.C.

Kites first came into existence around 770 B.C. in Ancient China. They were invented during the Han Dynasty. Credit has been given to a man named Han Hsin, a general, who created the kite for war purposes. While that story does have some credence, it is not 100% validated. Kites did first appear though during the wars of the spring and autumn period.

Evolution of the Kite

Soon after kites became popular in Ancient China, they spread to Korea, Japan, and Malaysia. Many of these people believed that kites would help to keep evil spirits away which at least partially explains why they were probably used in times of war.

Kites did not come onto the scene in the West until approximately 500 B.C. Whether they were influenced by the East is questionable, since travel was rather limited back in the day. In any case, Western Civilization gives credit to a Greek scientist and mathematician named Archytas of Tarentum who was said to have invented a flying device which flew 200 meters while being upheld by a wire to support its flight.

We have to wonder if whoever the person who invented the kite was knew what an enormous impact they would have on society, and that the invention they created would last for thousands and thousands of years.