In 1962 Robert (Bob) Moore was a young pilot in the Royal New Zealand Airforce at Wigram Airforce Base in Christchurch. During training in Harvard aircraft over Christchurch city, Robert enjoyed looking down at the Christchurch Cathedral an easy landmark and appreciated the tiny buildings and roads which appeared toy-like below and surrounded the Cathedral. One thing that fascinated him was the way the buildings interlocked so perfectly, like a jigsaw.
The memory, during a later occupation in system analysis, planning and production, 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 ceation 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 a well known TV personality 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 game saw a steady growth until the present day where it has been made in four locations around the world and is found online, primarily in North America, also United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, parts of Asia and of course New Zealand.
Bob Moore
