One can do so many things with paper. Not only are papers good for origami or sculptures, but they can be quite entertaining to your kids. A child’s imagination knows no boundaries. You would never know when a small piece of scrap paper ceases being a mere paper and becomes a spaceship landing on Mars. During this time, parents must foster creativity and indulge themselves wholeheartedly in their child’s game. To get started, why not make the best paper airplane in the world and get ready to take flight?
The Best Paper Airplane Ever! – A History Lesson
The history of the best paper airplanes is intertwined with the history of paper itself. Paper originated in China around 105 AD during the Han Dynasty, although it wasn’t until several centuries later that papermaking techniques spread to other parts of the world. People have likely been folding and flying paper for as long as paper has existed.
Paper folding has been a popular pastime in many cultures throughout history. In Japan, for example, origami has been practised for centuries. Although origami traditionally focuses on creating sculptures and decorative objects, some of the best paper airplane gliders were also created during this time. Papermaking techniques eventually spread to Europe, where in the 19th century, some of the best flying paper airplanes were invented and flown as toys and novelties. However, at the time (as early as 1864), they were called paper darts
In the early 20th century, the Wright brothers made some of the best paper airplane designs to figure out the requirements for the first rudimentary airplane. During World War II, soldiers implemented the best paper airplane fold as a form of recreation and relaxation. Some of the best flight paper airplanes were made during the post-war period by engineers and scientists to study the principles of aerodynamics. This led to the development of more sophisticated and best airplane paper designs and experimentation with various folding techniques.
Paper airplane contests have become popular events in schools and communities. You may not believe it, but there are several contests at the international level searching for the world best paper airplane, for example, the Red Bulls Paper Wings competition. The contest determines the best paper airplane based on three categories. Awards are given for the best paper airplane for distance, hang time, and aerobatics. The competition attracts participants of all ages who compete to see whose design can fly the farthest or stay in the air the longest.
How To Make The Best Paper Airplane In The World
One of the best paper airplane designs keeps the paper’s weight in mind. An A4 size paper, which is lightweight, thin, strong, and often used in making paper airplanes is tissue paper or crepe paper. A paper with the Gram per Square Weight (GSM) of 80-100 is undoubtedly the best paper for paper airplanes. Now that you know all the technicalities, it is time to follow the steps to make the best easy paper airplane.
- Take a paper and fold the paper in half lengthwise. Make sure the edges line up neatly, and then crease the fold firmly. Upon unfolding, you may notice a horizontal crease running down the paper’s centre.
- Take the top corners of the paper and fold them downwards towards the centre crease. The edges should meet at the centre crease, and the resulting shape should resemble an upside-down triangle at the top of the paper. Crease the folds firmly to hold them in place.
- Fold the top point of the triangle down to meet the bottom edge of the paper. This fold will create the nose of the airplane.
- Flip the paper and fold the paper in half along the centre crease once again. This time, fold it vertically so that the previous folds are on the inside.
- Fold down the wings. Take one of the top corners and fold it diagonally downwards towards the bottom edge of the paper, aligning it with the bottom edge. Repeat this step with the other side, ensuring both wings are folded evenly. Crease the wings firmly to hold them in place.
- Flip the airplane over and adjust the wings and nose as needed to ensure they are even and symmetrical.
A paper airplane best glider will stem from bigger wings. Smaller wings on the other hand are better for the best paper flying airplane looking for accuracy and precision. Now that you have learnt how to make the best distance paper airplane with the best airplane paper, it’s time you give this tutorial a try and compete with your kids or your friends.
Image Courtesy – National Science Teachers Association
