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Francis Rogallo’s Flexikite Insights and results
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Francis Rogallo’s Flexikite Flexible wings for the future
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The invention of the 'flexible wing' was a major breakthrough in thinking on flight for mankind.
Transcript of Francis Rogallo’s Flexikite Insights and results
Francis Rogallo’s Flexikite
Flexible wings for the future
“..if we could combine the shape of of the supersonic airplane with the unbreakable structure of the parachute, we would have a very fine kite indeed…”
Francis Rogallo:
Short history
1948 application patent ‘Flexible kite’ (filed nov. 23 1948)
1951, march 20 patent 2,546,078 granted to▪ Gertrude Sugden Rogallo &▪ Francis Melvin Rogallo
“Toys should copy the real thing and
not the other way around”Francis Rogallo on the ‘slow’ implementation of his ideas at
Naca/Nasa
The patent
On the name of Gertrude, because of all her cooperation in the development.
The Rogallo’s never made real commercial use of the patent.
They ‘gave’it to the State, to be used in the benefit of all’, as well civil as military. During a ceremony on july 18, 1963 the ownership of the patent was given to the government.
The start of an open inovation that brought flight for the common people.
Toys:THE FLEXIKITE
About 7000 Flexikites were produced in the 1950’s.
Made of the new Dupont material ‘Mylar’
Flexikite Creative playthings
Yellow Tube
Silver Mylar
Flexikite Creative playthings
Yellow Tube
Silver Mylar
Flexikite Creative playthings
Yellow Tube
Silver Mylar
Flexikite Flexikite company
Red Tube
Silver Mylar with red print
Flexikite Flexikite company
Red Tube
Silver Mylar with red print
U.S. patent no. 2,456,078
Flexikite Flexikite company
Red Tube
Silver Mylar with red print
Flexikite Flexikite company
Red Tube
Silver Mylar with red print
Flexikite Flexikite company
Red Tube
Silver Mylar with red print
Flexikite Flexikite company
Red Tube
Silver Mylar with red print
Other toysMichigan Scout
Rubber Motor Flexikite
www.fly-m.com
Other toysMichigan Scout
Rubber Motor Flexikite
www.fly-m.com
Other toysThe Wing Thing
The A.C.Gilbert CompanyNew Haven Conn.
Free flight powered flyingTow line glidingSky high sailingTethered power flying
Powerful .074 Thunderhead engine
Other toysThe Wing Thing
The A.C.Gilbert CompanyNew Haven Conn.
Free flight powered flyingTow line glidingSky high sailingTethered power flying
Powerful .074 Thunderhead engine
Other toysThe Wing Thing
The A.C.Gilbert CompanyNew Haven Conn.
Free flight powered flyingTow line glidingSky high sailingTethered power flying
Powerful .074 Thunderhead engine
Other toysSling Hang Glider
Jono Toys
Other toysGemini Paraglider
Spacecraft 76
Model number 003
Other toysGemini Paraglider
Spacecraft 76
Model number 003
An other kiteSkynasaur F-36
Steerable, twoliner
And a great articleAir & Space
SmithsonianDecember 1987/January 1988
‘Flexible Fliers’by Michael RozekPhotographs by Brownie Harris
P 84 - 87
And another article‘Vlieger’
Issue 2003/4
‘het geluk van de slappe vleugel’ by Douwe J. Joustra
in english: the Flexible happening, issued in “Discourse” no 4, p 43www.drachen.org
Thank you, mrs & mr Rogallo!!
