When researching topics for lectures and public talks I often find myself on youtube, clicking through an endless parade of videos in search of interesting stories and useful information. It was while looking into the history of the golf ball (a fascinating topic in itself!) that I stumbled across the following clip.
Casio EX-FS10: Slow Motion Golf
Golf is an obsession for millions and now an Olympic sport. The intricacies, delicacies and finer details of the game are what set it apart to makes it one of the most loved and hated sports in the world. Golf is a rough sea of changing hope and fortune, a game of highs and lows, […]
Main Dieu! – Thierry Henry’s hand ball
We couldn’t let this one pass, even Radio 4’s Any Questions? had something to say. On Tuesday evening I gave a small lecture about the role of technology in Sport, I used Diego Maradonna’s famous Hand of God as a case study; should football utilise technology to assist referees? I hope the students marvelled at […]
The rise and rise of disability sport
Sports engineers never seem to be that far away from a controversy. Just as one ‘issue’ is put to rest, you can be sure that a new hot potato is on the horizon. I’d argue that this is no bad thing; it is just a symptom of people’s natural resistance to change, and as long […]
The World Cup draw: altitude will be the key
Every World Cup draw is accompanied by a new ball, and media speculation is never far behind. The draw for FIFA 2010 on December 4th will focus attention on the ties in South Africa in next year, but I have some thoughts on what people are likely to be saying about the ball. Goalkeepers are […]
What has golf got to do with the Dambusters?
When I started a PhD on golf-green ball impacts back in 1985, my supervisor Dr Alastair Cochran suggested that I look for information on the Dambusters. For those of you not old enough to have seen the 1955 film starring Michael Redgrave, the Dambusters were the RAF’s 617 Squadron who flew Lancaster bombers during the […]
Cricket bat innovation smothered by Law 6
In October 2008 the Marylebone Cricket Club changed Law 6 of the Laws of Cricket. Law 6 concerns the bat, what it’s made from, how its made and even how it can be repaired if damaged. Two innovations in bat manufacture sparked this rare reaction from the MCC, these laws aren’t changed very often. Since […]
Who really controls airtime?
On the 30th October the world’s best skiers and snowboards, along with thousands of fans/groupies will descend on Battersea power station in London for the Freeze. The freestyle snowsports competition will involve athletes descending a high run in slope before launching off a massive jump. The organisers have invested heavily in the event and along […]
Definitely not simple Simon
As a keen mountain biker I couldn’t let the introduction of a bicycle suspension system that shares my name go by unnoticed. I’m very attracted to the mechanical aspects of mountain biking, king of all the cogs, wheels and gizmos on a bike has to be the suspension system. Even since the very early, very simple days […]
Engineering Sport 