McCook Field in Dayton in Montgomery County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Chinese Kites

500 B.C.

— (Inventing Flight: The Centennial Celebration Series #2) —

Chinese Kites Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 2, 2009

1. Chinese Kites Marker

Inscription.
Raise your sail one foot and get ten feet of wind. -Chinese Proverb

The world's first aircraft were the kites of China. The Chinese military first fashioned bird-shaped, wooden kites that were flown behind enemy lines to drop propaganda, to send messages to prisoners, or even to carry scouts who observed enemy troop movements.

Kites became affordable for common Chinese after paper was invented in China around 200 B.C. People discovered wonderful tricks with the kites. Some attached bamboo reeds that rang in the breeze during flight. Others hung colored lanterns along the kite's string, making a colorful night display. Fishermen still use kites today to lay bait in the sea.

In the early centuries of kite-flying, Chinese believed a kite released into the sky would carry bad luck away with it. Flight remained mythical and glorious.

Erected by Inventing Flight and Dayton Power & Light Company Foundation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Entertainment • Man-Made Features • Military • Notable Events.

Location. 39° 46.092′ N, 84° 11.175′ W. Marker is in Dayton, Ohio, in

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Montgomery County. It is in McCook Field. Marker is in Centennial Park, within Deeds Point MetroPark, off Webster Street, about 500 feet NE of the confluence of the Mad and Great Miami Rivers. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 510 Webster Street, Dayton OH 45402, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Leonardo da Vinci (here, next to this marker); Montgolfier Brothers (a few steps from this marker); Sir George Cayley (a few steps from this marker); Icarus (within shouting distance of this marker); Inventing Flight: The Centennial Celebration (within shouting distance of this marker); Neil Armstrong (within shouting distance of this marker); J. Bradford Tillson (within shouting distance of this marker); The Solution: Wing Warping (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dayton.

Also see . . .
1. History of Chinese Kites. (Submitted on March 26, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Brief History of Chinese Kites. (Submitted on March 26, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

Centennial Park Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 2, 2009

2. Centennial Park Markers

Four markers, from left (beyond hanging basket & bench, nearest to farthest) are Chinese Kites, Leonardo da Vinci, Montgolfier Brothers, & Sir George Cayley. Looking SW, with downtown Dayton in background and Wright Brothers statues at far right distance.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 26, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,068 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 23, 2022, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.