Kites were first invented for military needs, and there are many opinions about their inventors. One is Mozi, the other is Zhang Liang, and the third is ordinary people. The first statement that kite was invented by Mozi is based on Mozi? Relevant records in Lu Ban Pian. In this ancient book, it is mentioned that Lu Ban learned from Mozi, improved the method of making wooden kites according to Mozi, and then made kites out of lighter bamboo. The wooden kite made by Mozi was the earliest kite. According to legend, it took Mozi three years to make it.
The second argument that kites were invented by Zhang Liang comes from folklore. During the hegemony between Chu and Han, Han flew Zhang Liang to the Chu army camp in a big kite in order to win the war. When the big kite flew over the Chu army, Zhang Liang began to sing the folk songs of Chu. The Chu army at the bottom began to feel homesick when they heard familiar songs, so they had no intention of fighting. Zhang Liang saw that they lost their fighting spirit, so he took the opportunity to order an attack, and finally the Han army won a great victory.
The third argument that kites were invented by ordinary people is actually different about the origin of kites. There is a legend that the kite was blown away by a strong wind when a farmer was farming. After grasping the tether of the hat, the farmer found that the hat would flutter up and down with the wind, so he often played it like this later. Over time, people invented kites according to this kind of play. In addition, there is a legend that kites were invented by the people based on leaves blown all over the sky by the wind. There is also a folklore that kites come from tents.
It can be seen that the origin of kites is not conclusive. But what is certain is that kites are mostly used in the military after they are invented. Like Chu-Han hegemony, Han Xin used kites to measure the length of underground tunnels. Then, when Liang Wudi was besieged by Hou Jing in Taicheng, he also used kites to ask for help. In the Ming Dynasty, there were also soldiers who tied bombs to kites in battle, and then put kites into enemy camps, so as to kill the enemy. It can be seen that the military role of kites in ancient times was more affirmed.