LONG BEACH – The World Kite Museum in Long Beach recently received a linen Conyne kite on loan from Ronald Hazel of Turlock, Calif. What makes this kite so special is that it is 100 years old and it won an award at the 1904 World’s Fair held in St. Louis.

The 1904 World’s Fair was the first held on U.S. soil and commemorated the 100-year anniversary of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, which departed from St. Louis.

“It’s a special link in history,” Kay Buesing, director of the museum said. “We will be flying Conyne kites just like this one next Friday and Saturday as part of the Lewis and Clark stamp cancellation celebration.”

Celebrations will be held in 10 states along the Discovery Trail Friday and Saturday, with the Long Beach celebration being from 11a.m. to 3 p.m. both days at the southern end of the boardwalk.

The special linen kite, worth well over $500, will not be flown either day. On October 22, 1904, the special kite was flown highest among all competitors at the World’s Fair. Alexander Graham Bell of telephone fame, Octave Chanute, and Samuel Cody of England all competed in the kite flying and glider events at the Fair.

The trio attempted to make the first flying machine, but the Wright Brothers had succeeded in 1903. Interestingly, the Wrights chose not to attend the World’s Fair, although invited. Cody made the first flying machine outside the United States.

The Conyne kite was used for many purposes, including having a camera mounted on several of the kites and elevated to take pictures of the damage of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. Two photographs taken from the Conynes are on display at the Long Beach Kite Museum.