Sports Inventions that changed the world
I am not what someone would call a sports fan. I’m more of a documentary watching, sketchbook drawing, and trash novel reading kind of gal. Last night, I was watching “Cheer”, a new docuseries that follows a small college cheer team. I was amazed by the sheer athleticism and shocked by the abundant injuries that happen throughout the season. It got me to thinking about the advancements in safety equipment for sports, and how it’s evolved over the years. Someone had to have seen that people were cracking their heads open on a consistent basis and thought, “I know a way to solve that!” Let’s look at some of those instances below!
Football Helmets
Traditionally, football started as a combination of soccer and rugby. It was extremely rough, hard hitting, and most importantly, practically no protection between them and the ground or another player. After players received multiple bran-damaging concussions, and even in some instances death, the association said enough is enough. Thus, the football helmet came into play. It has saved many, many lives, and has commercialized the game into the American way of life ever since.
Baseball Caps
Synonymous with the American style, baseball caps have ingrained themselves into daily attire for many Americans. A lot don’t know its exact origins. However, once it’s pointed out, is pretty obvious. Before the cap, a baseball player in an open field was blinded by the sun on a regular basis. The players would only have their glove, or their free hand available to shield from the sun. This was distracting and could result in a missed catch. The baseball cap was a simple and elegant solution that’s stood the test of time.
The protective Cup
This one almost tells it’s entire story in just the title. Men get hit in the you-know-where one too many times, and it didn’t take long to drum this up. Indeed, before the regulation of having to wear a cup over your junk, people just got hit in the nether on the regular. The past, in retrospect, does not seem very comfortable.
Instant replay
“Are you BLIND, ref?!” scream avid fans of a call that did not land in their team’s favor. This still happens in probably every game, but the consensus can be determined to a much closer degree that it has in the past due to instant replay. Advancements in technology have allowed fans to view, in 4K, frame by frame if that touchdown was valid or not. Referees have a tough job of making calls, but the ability to slow it down and evaluate the play has become invaluable to players and fans. It’s certainly here to stay!
The 3-Point Shot
Contrary to what most people think, the 3-point shot in basketball hasn’t been around since it’s conception. It only came into play about 50 years ago in 1967-1968 when it was introduced to the NBA, and later for college teams. This has created a much more interesting game, creating a better chance of comebacks or losses near the end of games.
Sports are a weird modern gladiator games that I find a bit alien but the idea of something being invented to improve on it intrigues me. Are there any sports inventions you know of? Mention them below!