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Inventions and Technology in Sports
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Baseball cleats
The history of baseball cleats can be traced back to the origins of baseball in the mid-1840s. Cleats have been a mainstay in baseball leagues since then. As in any competitive sport, players sought ways to gain an advantage over their rivals. A player named Paul Butler was the first to invent baseball cleats that were attached to soft leather shoes and it became a staple in baseball history. -
The Modern Baseball Field
Alexander Cartwright (1820-1892) of New York invented the modern baseball field in 1845. Alexander Cartwright and the members of his New York Knickerbocker Base Ball Club, devised the first set of rules and regulations that were accepted for the modern game of baseball. On June 19, 1846, the Knickerbocker Rules were instituted for the first time when Cartwright's New York Knickerbockers competed against the New York Nine, in what is considered by the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in -
Jockstrap
A jockstrap, also known as a jock, jock strap, strap, supporter, or athletic supporter, is an undergarment designed for supporting the male genitalia during sports or other vigorous physical activity. The jockstrap has been part of men’s undergarments since 1874 when it was invented by C.F. Bennett of Chicago to protect and support bicycle riders (back then they were known as “jockeys”) who were navigating the cobblestone streets common to the era. -
Shin Guards
Shin guards were invented by club player Samuel Widdowson in 1874.They are used to protect the players' shins from the ball or a hockey stick in roller and field hockey, the puck or a hockey stick in ice hockey, and other players' tackles in football. They are usually secured on using velcro straps. They have been made compulsory for most school, club and professional teams in order to reduce injuries -
American football
Walter Chauncey Camp (April 7, 1859 – March 14, 1925) was an American football player, coach, and sports writer known as the "Father of Football". Camp was on the various collegiate football rules committees that developed the American game from his time as a player at Yale until his death. -
The Game of Basketball
James A. Naismith (November 6, 1861 – November 28, 1939) was a Canadian-American sports coach and innovator. He invented the sport of basketball in 1891 and is often credited with introducing the first football helmet. He wrote the original basketball rulebook, founded the University of Kansas basketball program. Basketball video link: http://youtu.be/n_-wBY2gH4A?hd=1 -
Football Helmet
One of the first instances of football headgear dates to 1896 when Lafayette College halfback George "Rose" Barclay began to use straps and earpieces to protect his ears. It is not certain who invented the football helmet. Many sources give credit for the creation of the helmet to James Naismith, while other sources credit U.S. Naval Academy Midshipman Joseph M. Reeves (later to become the "Father of Carrier Aviation"), who had a protective device for his head made out of mole skin to allow him -
Shoulder pads
The invention of football shoulder pads is credited to Abraham Schemel. The original prototypes were described as safety jackets for football players. The first design was registered with the United States Patent Office November 27, 1906. Without shoulder pads, you can risk damage to your shoulders, arms and neck from playing football. The pads help minimize contact during charges and tackles. -
Tennis Steel Racket
The Dayton Steel tennis racket was by no means the first steel tennis racket but it was a clear improvement on it's predecessors. Designed by William A. Larned (1872 - 1926; seven times champion of the U.S. Open), the Dayton Steel Racket proved to be quite popular with schools and tennis clubs for it's obvious durability. -
Instant Replay
CBS director, Tony Verna, invented a system to enable a standard videotape machine to instantly replay on December 7th, 1963, for the network's coverage of the Army–Navy Game. Prior to instant replay, it was almost impossible to portray the essence of a football game on television. Viewers struggled to disseminate the action from a wide shot of the field, on a small black and white television screen. However, with replay technology, “brutal collisions became ballets. -
Powerade
In 1988, Powerade became the official sports drink of the Olympics, alongside Aquarius, another sports drink made by Coca-Cola. It is a rival of another sports drink, Gatorade. In July 2001, The Coca-Cola Company launched a new formula for Powerade including vitamins B3, B6 and B12, which play a role in energy metabolism.
