Authors: Ben Ruhe
Date Submitted: August 31, 1998
Article Type: Journal

The technical aspects of flying kites to obtain meteorological records in the upper air at Blue Hill Observatory remain fascinating. Following are facets of this pioneering scientific work, as outlined by director A.L. Rotch in a paper for the 1903 St. Louis Exposition: -The height of the kite was obtained by attaching a barometer to it and by taking trigonometrical measurements when the upper kite in the train was visible. -Kites were flown of steel music wire having a tensile strength up to 650 pounds. -The steam powered windlass used at Blue Hill was designed by S.P. Fergusson of the observatory. It had devices for measuring the length of wire unreeled and recording the pull of kite. It was able to wind and oil the wired used under uniform and moderate pressure upon a storage drum

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