The original creation of the kite is unknown. How can we even begin to trace back to the first kite, when its design is so simplistic that any human hand could have crafted it? Of course, the popular consensus is that the kite originated in China, from the region of Malaysia, Indonesia, and the South Pacific.

What do you think of when the word kite is spoken? Are you reminded of a childhood memory that you cherish? Does it inspire you to free yourself from the gravity that keeps us grounded? Do you feel an intuitive desire to push away all responsibility for a moment and grab a string to control your own flight?

Whatever it is, I hope that the thought of a kite brings a smile. Specifically, I hope it brings “the kite smile.”

“The certain pleasure of kite flying is readily observable in every kite flyer’s face – adults and children alike – what kite enthusiasts have come to recognize as “the kite smile” (Kites Paper Wings over Japan, by Scott Skinner et al., Thames and Hudson, 1997, pp. 14).