Peter Powell

Who is Peter Powell?

In 1972, Peter Powell developed a steerable kite, using dual lines. Very early Peter Powell kites had spars made of ramin which were later replaced with aluminium tubing and later still by glass fibre spars. Originally they all came with black plastic sails, though later blue, red and yellow sails became available. The kites came with a long, hollow polyethylene tail that was inflated by the wind. The tail added stability as well as looking good when performing stunts.

Peter Powell won the silver diploma for his kite at the Exhibition of New Inventions and Techniques in Geneva in 1975. In 1976, the Peter Powell kite was elected toy of the year by the British Association of Toy Retailers. Millions of kites were sold and flying steerable kites became a craze in the mid-70's in the UK. The popularity of all types of multiple-line kite flying today can be attributed directly to Peter Powell's development of a modern, dual line kite.

Peter often took his kites around the country and sold them from the back of his car. In 1974 he was selling them on Paignton sea front. He advertised by simply flying the kites.