http://www.fai.org/civl-news/38450-fai-gold-air-medal-for-bill-moyes

“Bill Moyes developed the sport from a local phenomena to a worldwide thing of
staggering proportion, and thousands and thousands of people are now flying
because of what he’s been doing." So declared John Dickenson, inventor of the
Modern Hang Glider and also a FAI Air Gold Medal recipient. The CIVL nomination
continues…

“Bill Moyes learned to fly in 1967 and stretched the Dickinson wing limits,
breaking successive altitude and endurance records, being the first to fly off a
mountain and soar on a ridge. In 1969, he started selling his own gliders and
went around the USA, Europe and the Pacific, giving demonstrations, showing his
trade, raising awareness, making followers, spreading the Dickenson wing,
proving that it could soar, glide and go up like no others.

“Every week I would build a new kite in the workshop, changing and modifying the
design to improve its aerodynamics. The first kites I made flapped like rags.
Then someone suggested that I should read High Speed Sailing, an American book
about sailing on ice. I picked up a lot of good tricks from that book about
battens and airfoil shapes and flexibility. I just kept on experimenting until I
got it right. I started with a 13 ft wing, and then I built a 12 ft for my son,
Steve, and a 17-footer that nearly killed me! Those wings were named after the
lengths of the leading edges and keel, which were all equal. I then started
opening the nose angle, first to 90°, then 100°, with a 14 ft and a 15 ft. Next,
in 1968, I reduced the length of the keel and made a 16 x 15 footer – the first
higher-aspect-ratio glider! In 1969 we were already flying off the mountains. I
built a 19 x 15 and then a 20 x 12 with a 120° nose angle that was really
difficult to fly. In 1972, I added a keel pocket and called the wing the Stinger
because its long keel reminded me of a mosquito sting. But this innovation
remained confidential: what was called the Rogallo Standards were still
all-powerful!”

There is a lot more of Bill's marvelous story at the CIVL link
above. Thanks to Stephane Malbos for pointing out this wonderful article.