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PrintCollection Name: Other
Collection Number: 1942
Post Type: Kite Object or Accessory
This item was entered by Gary Hinze. They assume full responsibility for all content.
Artist or Author: Gary Hinze
Creation Year: 2009
Length: 33"
Width: 42"
Summay:
I made several small asymmetric kites to explore the hidden symmetries that permit asymmetrical kites to be flown. Without an obvious centerline, how do you locate the bridle point and tails? I found them remarkably easy to fly. I used my usual rules to locate a bridle, then added pairs of tails as needed to stabilize. The larger ones proved to be more difficult, requiring many more bridle lines to keep them flat, but the same principles applied. I started by observing its movements without any tails. Next I added tails to correct those movements by tying them around the junctures of the sticks (first photo). This allowed me to calculate a centerline position, confirming my initial hypothesis, and a tail volume. That suggested that the two tails could be replaced by a single tail off to one side. In fact, a single tail off on the left wingtip met the moment requirement, as shown here (second photo). This is a very remarkable kite, being the only one I know of that is stabilized by a single tail on one wingtip.
Geographic: United States
Kite Type: Figure, Flat
Materials: Bamboo, Paper
Significance: Art, Scientific
Images: (Click to open in viewer.)
