The Kiting Hall of Fame, an integral part of the World Kite Museum, acts as the primary activity meeting the section of the museum's mission statement "...to honor the people involved." It pays special tribute to the outstanding participants in the art, science, religion and sport of this multicultural phenomenon. Diversity in their activities spans history and geography.
Each member is recognized by a plaque displayed in the Hall of Fame Alcove. Miniature kites significant to the individual involvement are also on display. The Museum archives include the nomination information on the inductees.
Friday evening at the Washington State International Kite Festival in August is the yearly induction ceremony for the Hall of Fame. This event for Museum members has entertainment and snacks.
Yearly, beginning in 2006, the Hall of Fame will feature one of the Hall of Fame inductees. This will include an exhibit in the Hall of Fame alcove, special activities on Tuesday at the Washington State International Kite Festival and activities planned with the local schools that will acquaint kids with the life and times of the featured Hall of Fame member and the significance of his kite life.
 Ben Franklin: Scientist Turned Diplomat
Author Isaac Asimov wrote the book “The Kite That Won the Revolution”. The story begins with how Ben Franklin, the 15th child of 17 children, with only 2 years of school became a scientist. Then it proceeds to explain how his theory about lightning being an electric charge rather than an act of God was not only proved by his kite experiment but by the experiment he developed for tall building using a sentry box. The success of the kite experiment and the sentry box experiment made his name discussed, praised, marveled at and admired.
When Franklin went to Europe to persuade France, Germany and other countries to support the colonies against the King of England, he was listened to and held in great esteem.
This alcove honors kite makers and inventors, kite promoters and entrepreneurs. Plaques stating each individuals contribution and representative miniature kites describe each inductee. Play the kite trivia game while you are here.
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- 2006 Mr. Chen Zhao Ji, has taken the traditional Chinese insects, birds and dragons and added intricate hand carved bamboo gears to create moving heads, flapping wings and more.
- 2006 Don Tabor, introduced space age materials to his two-line delta winged creations. He developed synchronized team flying performing to music.
- 2005 Charlie Sotich, is the master of marvelous of miniature kites made from table napkins to micro-thin mylar film.
- 2005 David Gomberg, the premier promoter of kiting as a sport and an industry through chairing both the AKA and KTAI.
- 2004 Kazuo Tamura, was an ambassador of the giant kite fighting heritage to the rest of the world.
- 2004 Ray Bethell, is known for flying three or more two-line kites at one time continually beating his own record for time in the air.
- 2003 Alexander Wilson, is credited with being the first European to fly kite trains and use them for scientific purposes.
- 2003 Kay Buesing, is a key founder of the World Kite Museum, its educational exhibits and innovative programs.
- 2003 Tsutomu Hiroi, pioneered kites for education in his books about why kites fly and his introduction of western kites to Japan.
- 2002 Tal Streeter’s, books turned kite communities attention to the burety of Asian kites.
- 2002 Margaret Greger’s, diagrams and clear instructions inspired people around the world to build kites.
- 2001 Charlie Brown, the popular cartoon character who flew his kites across the comic strips throughout the world.
- 2000 Takeshi Nishibayashi "Nishi" personified kiting in Japan for many years.
- 2000 Valerie Govig, founder of American Kite Association and Editor of Kite Lines , Magazine.
- 2000 Shakib Gunn represents the kite traditions of Singapore and Southeast Asia.
- 1999 Ha Family of Beijing developed their style of kiting over four generations.
- 1998 Martin Lester is an innovative kite designer and organizer of the International Bristol Kite Festival.
- 1997 Jane Park Ambrose, founder of the "One Sky, One World" flight for peace.
- 1997 Helen Bushel, the "Grandmother of Australian Kiting."
- 1997 Charles Lamson & JB Millet developed the first man-lifting kite in 1897.
- 1997 Teizo Hashimoto, a master of the traditional Edo kite.
- 1996 Peter Malinsky, a German kite maker of extraordinary talent and skill.
- 1996 Scott Skinner, a promoter of kiting worldwide and founder of the Drachen Foundation.
- 1995 George Peters creates kites that are aesthetically and aeronautically commanding.
- 1995 Wilber & Orville Wright experimented with kites in developing human-powered flight.
- 1995 David Checkley promoted international goodwill through his kite tours to the Orient, and his collection of Asian kites is the cornerstone of the Museum's collection.
- 1994 William A. Eddy developed a special "Eddy" Malayan bowed kite for use in weather instrumentation.
- 1994 Benjamin Franklin transformed a child's toy into an instrument of science.
- 1993 Will Yolen is a worldwide ambassador of kiting and champion flyer.
- 1993 George Pocock, a 19`h Century Englishman whose kites pulled carriages.
- 1993 Masaaki Modegi is Japan's kite ambassador to the world.
- 1992 Francis Rogallo is the inventor of the flexible wing kite used by NASA.
- 1992 Samuel Franklin Cody, a contemporary of the Wright Brothers who created a man carrying bi-plane glider kite.
- 1992 Robert Ingraham, founder of the American Kite Association.
- 1992 Alexander Graham Bell developed tetrahedral kites for human powered flight.
- 1991 Peter Lynn is known worldwide for his inflatables and parafoils.
- 1991 Paul Garber created the historic kite collection at the Smithsonian Institute.
- 1990 Peter Travis is known as the Australian creator of visual kite spectacles.
- 1989 Dominia Jalbert, the American inventor of the parafoil and other soft kites.
- 1989 Lwvrerrce Hurgraves' invention of the box kite in 1893 influenced wing design.
- 1989 First Kite Flyer was first documented in China in the 4" Century BC.
Hall of Fame