A BRIEF HISTORY of CATHEDRAL

In 1962 Robert (Bob) Moore was a young pilot in the Royal New Zealand Airforce at Wigram Airbase in Christchurch. During training in Harvard Aircraft, Robert  found the Christchurch Cathedral  an easy landmark to use as a waypoint during turning maneuvers and would look down the wing and take a fix on the Cathedral spire. Flying was his passion and he used to marvel at the tiny buildings and roads which appeared toy-like below. One thing that fascinated him was the way the buildings interlocked so perfectly, like a jigsaw.

The memory later, during his occupation in planning and production at a can factory, germinated as an idea for a new  game of various shaped building like pieces, to be fitted on a board by two opposing players. After years of study and design the first prototype of Cathedral was born. The idea was quickly patented.

About 1979 Bob took his invention to a  wooden game and toy manufacturer called Brightway Products who saw the potential and began first production of a flat abstract  and a 3d version of the game. The 3d version with it's buildings and turrets proved most popular.  The  North American market was established by John Davidson who during a business trip to New Zealand saw the game and bought one as a gift. He was fascinated by it and saw the potential for the development of the game on the North American market. To satisfy this market in the U.S. Bob set up his own production, subcontracting much overflow to Brightway. The writer/webmaster also spent a year making the game with his brother.

The game saw a steady growth until the present day where it has been made in four locations around the world and is found in North America, United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, parts of Asia and of course New Zealand.

Bob Moore

" The Game of the Mediaeval City"
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