历史上可追溯的最早的关于帆的记载是公元前4000年左右古埃及制造的帆船。而早至前200年左右，中国汉朝《南州异物志》也有对帆的记载。

A sail is a catchment device designed to receive and redirect a force upon a generous surface area. Traditionally, the surface was engineered of woven fabric and supported by a mast, whose purpose is to propel a sailing vessel. Sails may be configured in many ways to include traditionally understood maritime purposes, as well as land vehicles and solar collection purposes. The rich encyclopedic history of maritime sails suggests alternative uses of the technology well documented.