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Multi-line controllable kites have existed in one form or another for almost two hundred years. Durring the second world war Paul Garber of the US Navy attached a small rudder to an Eddy or bowed diamond kite for use as a target to train gunners to shoot down enimy aircraft. More than a quarter million of the five foot kites were made making it the first mass produced stunt kite ever.

More contemporay stunters have dropped the rudder and let the sail itself do all the steering. By altering the kite's angle of attack and allowing the wind to exit from one side or the other in varying degrees, these kites can turn, spin, stall and in the case of three and four line kites, go backward.

Modern materials such as polyester sail-cloth and carbon fiber rods have made the kites lighter, stiffer and highly maneuverable. Of course, just how maneuverable depends on the flyer.