Did you know April is National Kite Month? In this age of computers, video games and MP3 players, kites may seem a bit old-fashioned — but their light-hearted, almost magical appeal keeps them popular.

It’s thought that kites were first flown in China over 2,000 years ago. For centuries, they’ve been used around the world to measure distances, test weather conditions, announce births, send messages, assist in military operations…they’ve even been used as a fishing aid in the Solomon Islands. Besides the traditional diamond shape and other more complex geometrical designs, kites have been constructed to resemble aircraft, real or fantastic creatures (like dragons), birds of prey…even musical instruments! Kites were often decorated with mythological motifs and legendary figures. Some were even fitted with strings and whistles to make musical sounds while flying.

The earliest kites were made of cloth (usually silk) and a light, flexible wood such as bamboo. Homemade kites have traditionally been made using paper or cloth for the sail. Today, most commercial kites are nylon or strong, light plastic materials. The lines attached to the body of the kite are usually nylon or cotton.

Kite flying as a sport started early, with the development of fighter kites throughout Asia. Although the rules of kite fighting varied, the object was to maneuver a kite so its line (coated with an abrasive) would cut the line of an opposing kite. The fairly recent use of multi-lined kites advanced the development of sport kite flying. Like figure skaters, stunt kite competitors are judged on their performance in compulsory figures as well as “ballet” intervals, which include artistic interpretation of music. Moves can be performed by individual flyers, pairs or teams.

In 1749, a Scotsman named Alexander Wilson used two kites flown from the same line to measure temperature variations at different altitudes in what was thought to be the first scientific use of a kite. Only three years later, Benjamin Franklin conducted his famous experiment. Flying a kite fitted with a pointed wire through a thunderstorm, the American statesman/inventor succeeded in electrifying a metal key attached to the kite’s flying line, proving the existence of electricity as a natural phenomenon (and narrowly avoiding electrocution in the process!). This led to Franklin’s invention of the lighting rod, which is still used today.

You don’t need a beach to take part in some high-flying fun! Any open space away from road, trees, airports and power lines will do. Build a kite of your own or purchase a ready-made one. Pick a day with “medium” wind conditions. Five to twenty-five miles per hour is optimum for most kites (when leaves and bushes start to move). And never fly in the rain or during a thunderstorm (you may not be as lucky as Ben Franklin). Be safe, be sensible, fly right — and have fun!