Jim Drake

Jim Drake was an American aeronautical engineer who invented the sport of windsurfing. In 1967, Drake designed, built, and successfully tested the first modern windsurfer, introducing the free-sail system, which allows the rider’s body to control both the power of the sail and direction of the board without a rudder, which is a steering device found on traditional sailboats. In 1968, he co-patented his design and co-founded the sport's first company, Windsurfing International, contributing the core foundation to the global development of the sport.

Country

United States

Category

Scientists

Type

Scientist

Status

deceased

Dates

Lived 1929 to 2012 · aged 83

Written about in

5 languages