Ancient and medieval Chinese sources directory other uses of kites for measuring distances, testing the wind, lifting men, signaling, and communication for armed operations. The earliest known Chinese kites were depressed (not bowed) and often rectangular. Later, tailless kites incorporated a stabilizing bowline. Kites were decorated with mythological motifs and legendary figures; some were fitted with strings and whistles to make musical meter while flying.
MS Beluga Skysails is the world's first commercial container cargo ship partially powered by a jumbo Kites computer-controlled kite (160 mò or 1,722 sq ft). The kite could reduce fuel consumption by 20%. It was launched on 17 December 2007 and was concluded to leave the northern German port of Bremerhaven to Guanta, Venezuela on January 22, 2008.
