Marconi

Marconi is best known for his work with wireless transmissions and he used kites to loft wireless antennas. The kites he used look a lot like Rokkaku structures. There's a good reason the modern day Marconi Jib Kite has that name, but it's not because Guglielmo Marconi invented it. Read on, and click on the underlined links for a thorough explanation.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

"A Bermuda rig, Bermudian rig, or Marconi rig is a configuration of mast and rigging for a type of sailboat and is the typical configuration for most modern sailboats. This configuration was developed in Bermuda in the 17th century; The term Marconi, a reference to the inventor of the radio, Guglielmo Marconi, became associated with this configuration in the early 20th century because the wires that stabilize the mast of a Bermuda rig reminded observers of the wires on early radio masts."

So, a Marconi Jib Kite is called that due to its sail configuration, and not because Marconi designed the kite. Direct reference to the original designer/builder of the Marconi Jib Kite is somewhat obscure. There is mention of a 1964 book publication in a Kite Lines article from the Spring 1977 issue, and that 1964 mention may be the answer to who first designed and built the Marconi Jib Kite. Click this link to go to the article.

Marconi did use kites in his efforts with developing wireless communication. They were of the Baden-Powell type (Capt. B.F.S. Baden-Powell: 1860-1937) and look like a Rokkaku. He used kites to loft temporary wireless antennas. Here’s an interesting article: - “Guglielmo Marconi-Aerial Assistance With a Kite." Click this link to go there.