Bell also had a great passion for aeronautics.
July 7, 1908.
Alexander Graham Bell (right) and his assistants observe the flight of a circular tetrahedral kite.
Then he combined several box-like cells to create large pyramidal structure with three triangular sides and a triangular base.
This geometric form, known as a tetrahedral, is one of nature’s most stable structures.
Although it looks pretty complicated, tetrahedral kites are very easy to fly.
He was convinced that his tetrahedral cell structure was more stable than the Wright brothers machine.
It was composed of over 3,393 cells, was 40 feet long and weighed 91 kg.
It successfully flew carrying a human passenger 168 feet above water when towed behind a steamship.
Unfortunately, it crashed and tore to pieces on landing.
By the end of that year, the AEA flew over 150 flights without mishap.
The AEA was financed entirely by Alexander Graham Bells wife, Mabel Bell.
When the funds ran out, the association was disbanded.
One of Bells invention was the aileron, that is now a standard component on all aircraft.
His Cygnet III with a 70-horsepower motor was reported to have flown only one foot.
Bell eventually abandoned his experiments in 1912.
Dec. 16, 1905.
Assistants hoist a kite dubbed “The Frost King.”
Aug. 23, 1902.
A kite composed of three six-celled wheels.
A kite with three six-celled wheels in flight.
Nov. 18, 1902
May 16, 1902.
A kite with four triangular cells in flight.
May 17, 1902.
A kite with six triangular cells in flight.
Oct. 4, 1902.
A multi-celled triangular kite.
June 13, 1902
May 29, 1902.
Bell’s assistants attempt to launch a multicellular kite.
June 30, 1902.
A complex multicellular kite.
Aug. 9, 1906.
A tetrahedral kite is towed on the water.
Bell poses with some of his tetrahedral kites.
Sources:Wikipedia/Wikipedia/Wikipedia/www.carnetdevol.org/The Wright Stories/Mashable
