Lu Pan

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Lu Pan

fl. fifth century b.c.?

Chinese inventor credited with creating the first known kite. Lu Pan lived some time between the sixth century b.c.—some accounts describe him as a contemporary of Confucius (551-479 b.c.)—and the fourth century b.c. Known as "the mechanician of Lu," he reportedly created a glider in the shape of a magpie from bamboo, then became the first person ever to fly a kite.