Fairing for lines in patents in any nation's system:
We are just beginning this historical collection.
The estimate is that we are at 5% exposure level of old prior art on faired lines.
Notes from all are invited to help make this folder robust.   tethers@hawpa.net

Balloon Tether Cable  
1965, Arthur D. Struble

1943

1976

1985   High-speed faired towline US Patent 4655155

CONDUCTING TOW LINE STRUCTURE

 Alexander C. Hetherington     Filed: 1965

1966    US Pat. 3352274
HIGH SPEED FAIRED TOWING CABLE
 Dale E. Calkins

Integrated faired towline
with integral locking feature
 Richard K. Knutson et al  Filed: 1980

Patent number: 6415730

Hairy towlines

Reefable faired towlines

Applicaton: 

http://www.google.com/patents/about?id=27gHAAAAEBAJ&dq=6244204

Skilled kite craftsman ever see water-air analogues as they do their art:   Some 1960s instructions: