By using cords or wires to pull the corners together, one end of each wing would turn up while the other turned down. Both ends of the wings would move at the same time, changing their angle of attack in opposite directions. The end the turned up (and had a higher angle of attack) would generate more lift, while the end that turned down (with a lower angle of attack) would have less lift. The end of the wing with more lift would rise while the other fell. This system could be used to balance and control the plane, making it roll right or left.

Wilbur talked the idea over with his brother Orville, and the two designed an experiment to test it. They built a biplane "box" kite with wings 5 to 6 feet long and 13 to 15  inches wide. The wings where held 13 to 15 inches apart by several struts, and all the parts were hinged so they could move.

A small tail was attached to the back middle strut. The Wrights controlled the kite from the ground with four strings. One end of each string was tied to one end of the front outboard struts. The other ends were tied to the ends of two sticks. By angling the sticks in opposite directions while the kite was flying, the Wright brothers could "warp" the wings and cause the kite to bank right and left. By angling the sticks in the same direction, they could raise or lower the tail, making the kite climb or dive.

Over the next few months, the Wrights built and flew several "scientific" kites, perfecting their control system. In 1900, they used this system on a man-carrying glider for the first time. Before they risked their own necks, they flew the glider as a kite, controlling it from the ground.

These scientific  kites were hung about the bicycle shop until 1905, when the Wright brothers had finally developed a practical powered airplane. They decided to clean house, and took the kites outside to burn. Most were destroyed, but they gave several to some neighbor kids who happened by.

Wilbur found that the inner tube box took on a helical twist when he squeezed the corners. To repeat this experiment for yourself, click HERE.

Wilbur sketched this picture of his 1899 kite, showing how it was controlled.

The Wright brothers continue to perform kite experiments for many years. They even kited their gliders to measure lift and drag.

Building and Flying the Kite

The 1899 Wright Kite is a fairly simple project to make, if you'd like to build one. It's also an excellent project for young people, if you happen to have a class or a group  of kids who are interested in aviation. Not only does it teach them the basics of aircraft design and control, it gets them hands on with one of the most important events in aviation history.

To get you going, we've posted the plans and instructions here:

• Resurrecting the Wright Kite gives you the historical facts behind this flying machine and describes how we resurrected the plans from the scant details available. This, by the way, was the Wright Brothers Aeroplane Company's first adventure in aviation archaeology.
• The 1899 Wright Kite Plans provide detailed engineering drawings for the kite that you can download and print out as large as you'd like. We also provide some tips to help with construction.
• Flying the Wright Kite is a flight school for flying this machine. It can be tricky!

You're Invited!

If you build a replica of Wright Kite, why don't you bright it to Kitty Hawk and fly it with us on the Centennial Anniversary of Controlled Flight. One hundred years ago on October 8, 1902, the Wright brothers flew their 1902 glider for the first time with 3-axis controls -- roll, pitch, and yaw. This is widely considered to be their most important contribution to aviation, and it was the culmination of the experiments they began in 1899 with this kite. For more details click HERE.