after many years kite flying spread throughout all of asia and eventually reached the rest of the world. the intialy shapes and forms of kites in china were not the designs individuals typically associate with modern day kites - the trapezoidal shape was invented in the 19th century by william eddy.

during the 20th century the invention and development of the motorized airplanes made the practical use of kites moot, as the new machines became much more efficient. from that point on, kites have became predominently a form of leisure, with their practical uses more rare.