Peter Chilvers
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Peter Chilvers came into the public eye in the 1980s as the result of patent infringement lawsuit brought by Windsurfing International, Inc. against Tabur Marine, a competing manufacturer. Tabur disputed the validity of the patent, and presented to the courts evidence of a boyhood creation by Chilvers, who, in 1958, at the age of 12, on Hayling Island, assembled a rudder-steered board powered by a sail, years before Windsurfing International filed for its patent for the Windsurfer. Although the Chilvers apparatus differed in significant respects from the Windsurfer, including use of a rudder for steering and the design of the boom, the court ruled for Tabur. This case set important precedents for patent law in the United Kingdom, originating the well-known Windsufer Test regarding the steps of inventiveness and non-obviousness. It was not proven whether Windsurfing International had any knowledge of the prior creation by Chilvers, and this was not relevant to the courts decision, however was a source of much recorded debate, especially considering the evidence given of considerable intimidation of key witnesses.
Among many things, Peter Chilvers has been a successful engineer for Lotus and has founded a sailing and windsurfing centre in London, where he lives today with his wife and daughter.
The sailing and windsurfing centre in London's East End was founded by Chilvers as a philanthropic venture to promote sailing and windsurfing amongst underprivileged children of the East End in the 1970's. He created and has maintained the centre for over 20 years. He maintains this centre as well as operating a Sailing and Windsurfing club onboard the Sir Henry Johnson.
Peter Chilvers is currently heading the bid for a £40 million sailing and windsurfing centre on Hayling Island to regenerate the area and recognise it as the place where Windsurfing was invented and he grew up. This bid has reached the second stage of the bid process, and with public support may come to fruition, creating a global legacy for a sport whose true origins are clouded by financial interests.
The history of windsurfing, and its ultimate inventor are a source of much conjecture in the windsurfing community. Australian courts have found that windsurfer-like creations were in use as early as 1946, pre-dating both Chilvers and Windsurfing International. The earliest use of a board powered by a sail may well be as old as sailing itself.
Regardless of the conjecture, Chilvers has a genuine claim to an original invention. As well as being a pioneering member of society, he is also a kindly valued memeber of his local community.
[edit] External links
- LDDC Water usage A Link to the London Docklands Development Agency and home of Peter Chilvers Windsurfing
- Rodma List of water users including Peter Chilvers Windsurfing
- Destination Hayling Island More information on the proposed redevelopment of Hayling Island that Peter Chilvers is heading.
- Destination Hayling Island. Project Summary detailing the involvement of Peter Chilvers.
