User:Krisdoor/Sandbox
Mark J. Wariakois (aka “Wally”) (inventor, entrepreneur)
[edit]Mark J. Wariakois (born March 20, 1955) is the founder of Voilé Manufacturing, a Utah Company that produces backcountry ski and snowboard equipment and accessories. He invented the Company's initial product, the Voilé Telemark Binding, in 1980 for backcountry skiing. [1]
Mark "Wally" Wariakois | |
|---|---|
 Mark Wariakois c.1995 | |
| Born | March 20, 1955 St. Paul, Minnesota |
| Occupation(s) | Inventor and Entrepreneur |
| Notable work | Founder of Voilé Manufacturing, Salt Lake City, Utah |
| Website | Voile.com |
In 1991 Wariakois, along with Brett “kowboy” Kobernik, invented the Splitboard to bring snowboarding to the backcountry. [2] [3] Wariakois went on to design avalanche shovels, skis, and skins all for backcountry skiing.[1] The Voilé strap was one more product invented for backcountry use, but has become the go-to device to secure, bundle and repair almost anything. [4]
Early life
[edit]Wariakois grew up in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, son of two public school art teachers, Richard (Dick) and Theodora (Teddy) Wariakois. He has one sister, Kris Wariakois Door. His father built their White Bear house in 1953 and could repair or solve almost any mechanical problem. He taught his son how to build structures, repair cars and weld together go-karts and crazy bikes. Wariakois grew up with a creative, inventive spirit.[1]
Professional Life
[edit]After high school, Wariakois traveled out west to Utah, where he raced dirt bikes. Then he spent a few years in New Mexico where he gained small manufacturing experience making hang gliders for ElectraFlyer. When that ended in 1979 he was in Salt Lake City. While fooling around on cross-country skis, he realized the challenge of skiing downhill on those skis and built the first Voilé plates to stabilize the boot. [1]
From this invention, Wariakois founded Voilé (pronounced vo-lay) in 1980, a manufacturer of backcountry skiing and snowboarding equipment, known for their innovative designs and high-quality products. Voilé fulfilled his passion for backcountry skiing and a desire to improve backcountry equipment. The company became known for its pioneering contributions to the industry, including the development of the first splitboard, which allowed snowboarders to traverse and ascend uphill like skiers. This invention revolutionized backcountry snowboarding.[5] Wariakois invented the Voilé avalanche shovel in 1981, adding to the product line. The shovel’s design, like many of Wariakois’ inventions, has been copied by many. A later addition, the Voilé strap, proved so popular that it has a dedicated website, voilestraps.com. [1]
Personal life
[edit]Mark Wariakois has one son, Shey Dilloway Wariakois, who followed in his father’s footsteps by studying engineering.
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e Pattison, Don, “An Interview with Mark (Wally) Wariakois, Founder of Voile Equipment,” Off-Piste, The Backcountry Adventure Journal, Issue XL (January 2009): p. 14-17, 30-31.
- ^ "US Patent for Splitboard binding system with side mounting locking touring bracket Patent (Patent # 11,426,647 issued August 30, 2022) - Justia Patents Search". patents.justia.com. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
- ^ "Mark J. Wariakois Inventions, Patents and Patent Applications - Justia Patents Search". patents.justia.com. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
- ^ Cohen, Tyler (2018-03-05). "Security System: Why, even after three decades, the Voilé strap remains the most relevant tool in any kit". Backcountry Magazine. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
- ^ "Split Decision - Birth of the Splitboard". Colorado Snowsports Museum. 2021-11-11. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
