Hi, everyone!
I'm trying to make a list of key technologiest, R&D steps, major tipping points in history of kiteboarding gear. I offer you my version, but everyone is welcome to correct me and share your vision.
1. Inflatable LE kite design
Legaignoux brothers 1984
They are trying to sell this patent to sport brands without any success. Starting own brand Wipika.
2. Cory Roeseler is starting to ride water ski and rigid delta-shape kite on Maui 1993-94
Windsurfers are stoked and start to get interested
3. Bow shape kite design
Legaignoux 1997
First in history almost complete degpower and water relaunch
Now kiteboarding is accessible to much wider audience
4. Switch from 2 line to 4 line design
When? Was it introduced with bow design?
5. Durable construction of boards (same as in snowboardin)
~2003 Polish guy (later he will create Nobile brand) starts to use this technology
everyone is stoked, because board is not breaking anymore from hard landings
6. Delta-share
designers from F-One in 2007 (who?)
launching Bandit kite with big success
originally in pursue of ways to go around bow patent
shape is really successful for beginners/schools because of windrange and relaunch
What else? Please correct me, where I'm wrong, and post your versions of key steps in development of our sport.