“..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’
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
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
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