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"
Is property of and copyright © 1978, 1997 Chrisbo I.P. Holdings
limited.
The intellectual rights in all parts, name, design and rules is protected
by International copyright treaties. No parts may be copied or reproduced
in any materials including electronic, multimedia and internet, without
the express permission of the owner.

|