Why were Hargrave box kites useful for meteorological work?

Hargrave box kites were highly valued for meteorological work due to their exceptional efficiency and stability. Designed by Lawrence Hargrave in the 1890s, these cellular kites were capable of carrying relatively heavy weights aloft, making them ideal for lifting meteorological instruments into the atmosphere.12

Their design was notably steady even in high winds, which allowed them to be flown in "trains"—multiple kites attached to a single line—often using piano wire to reach significant altitudes. Because of these reliable performance characteristics, they eventually replaced other designs, such as the Eddy kite, and remained a standard tool for atmospheric observation well into the 1920s.2