SAFA Skysailor Magazine

32 SKY SAILOR November | December 2022 For over 16 years, Graeme Henderson has researched and documented the early history of hang gliders and their developers. In this book he corrects errors and exposes the lies that have passed for history. His next book will set out the true history of hang gliding. This new history excludes Rogallo kites from having any part within the early development of modern hang gliders. It also includes an affidavit where Francis and Gertrude Rogallo concede that William Allison was the first to invent a flexible kite, although the Rogallos never mentioned this to anyone since In 2009, a SkySailor article by John Clark stated, “You can draw a very straight line between the modern hang glider, paraglider and trike wings and that Rogallo toy kite.” Yet, there is no connection between the Rogallo patent and the flexikite they marketed, nor any aircraft NASA worked on, nor any hang glider ( SkySailor May 2010 , p26). The Rogallo patent excludes the Dickenson glider, and it also excludes the Jalbert patent . Rogallo was not the only person fascinated with air-supported wings. Very shortly after Rogallo, American William Allison, patented a kite which was remarkably similar. “In 2009, I would not have argued that the Allison kite followed the Rogallo kite, but I now know differently. Apart from the name ‘flexible kite’, the Allison kite is dissimilar to the first Rogallo patent. The second Rogallo patent was filed in an attempt to block Allison, but is still different since Rogallo kites need tails.” Graeme found. Early flexible kites – a timeline March 1947: William M. Allison came up with the concept of a flexible kite and began building and testing. NH Spring 1947: Allison disclosed his concept and prototypes to others. Fliars – searching for the true history by Graeme Henderson Graeme’s research has led to the pioneering efforts of Australian John Dickenson to be belatedly recognised, receiving FAI and other recognition since. He is currently campaigning to remove the Rogallo references Image: Smithsonian