In the beginning, it didn’t always seem as though sports and technology were the most natural combination. Aside from a bat and a ball, what else did you need to play baseball? Or is there anything else in basketball but a ball and a hoop? How much of your life could you truly alter? In spite of this, as we’ve seen throughout the years, there is always potential for growth when it comes to our favourite activities. Whether it’s for the goal of making a good thing even better, or for the purpose of putting a broken system back together, technology has played a significant part in enhancing the sports that we all like watching and debating. Out of all of the changes that have occurred, however, these are the 20 most significant technological innovations in the history of sports. Technology has been advancing in sports since the early days, let’s check a few of them out.
In-Helmet Headsets
Communication is half of the fight for quarterbacks, so the NFL decided to help them out a little by allowing players to wear headsets in their helmets starting in 1994. QBs have been able to more readily convey play calls to the huddle and make required modifications on the fly as a result of the ability to communicate with their coaches through radio waves.
Esports
After it started out, some regarded it as bearing semblance to sports culture. However, its growth has seen it become an established sector in its own right. Some would say technological innovations have played a key role in the industry’s growth, whether it’s the rise of streaming technology, better connectivity and more. The industry’s popularity has also caught the attention of online casino platforms. Additionally, corporate types have also tapped into the industry’s potential for marketing purposes. Faster Internet Connections, Smartphone Penetration, Better Gaming Hardware and Cloud gaming are all advancements that will ensure a better future for the Esports gaming scene.
The most popular and recent combination we are facing is the online Sports Betting scene. This has risen dramatically since the efficiency of smartphones, as it became possible to place a bet on your favourite sports virtually anywhere in the world by just a quick google search. Should one wish to start this new experience, and maybe even bet on some of the Esports tournaments, it is advised to check this list according to Basketball Insiders, which contains the best sports Betting Sites & Sportsbooks, so as to have the best experience while Sports betting.
The Shot Clock
Before the introduction of the shot clock, basketball struggled to acquire momentum as a major, popular sport in the United States. Teams would frequently retain the ball and delay after they had a lead because of the poor scoring and displeasure of the crowd. The NBA understood they were in deep danger after a dreadful game between the Fort Wayne Pistons and the Minneapolis Lakers concluded in a 19-18 “win” for Fort Wayne. Danny Biasone, the owner of the Syracuse Nationals, invented the 24-second shot clock in 1954 after experimenting with the concept during his team’s scrimmages. A meager 79 points per game were scored in the previous year, 1953, the year before the league implemented the timer. That figure rose to 93 PPG only one year later, and the NBA has never looked back since.
Goal-Line Technology
Since 1993, the NHL has been at the forefront of technological advancement in goal-line technology, while soccer has been a decade behind the curve. Instant replay is made possible by the use of an overhead camera, which allows officials to determine whether or not the ball (or puck) has passed the goal line—a critical factor in determining the result of every game. The presence of an organisation that is dedicated to doing things well is always encouraging. What is it about FIFA that is taking so long?
LZR Swimsuits
The LZR Racers, which were made of spandex, nylon, and polyurethane, were the high-performance, form-fitting bodysuits that came close to sweeping the Beijing Olympics back in 2008. That is also not an exaggeration: an LZR suit was used by 98 percent of the swimmers who won medals in that year’s tournament, and after just one year of competition, it had already assisted in the breaking of 97 world records. Although it was first seen as an unfair technical advantage, FINA, swimming’s governing body, eventually declared that the suits could no longer be worn in competition in July of 2009. We’ll never forget this moment though. LZR, rest in peace.
KERS
Have you ever grown tired of the stop-and-go nature of city traffic? If only you had access to KERS. KERS is an automobile technology that recovers kinetic energy that has been lost due to braking. It works by collecting all of the heat generated by braking and storing it in order to increase acceleration later on. The concept is analogous to saving a Mushroom for the final stretch of a Mario Kart race when playing the game. However, because of the system’s weight, most Formula One drivers have been sluggish to incorporate the invention into their vehicles.
Concussion Helmets
Helmets like the S100 Pro Comp may seem cumbersome and big when compared to previous versions, but they have become nothing short of essential for baseball players trying to protect their heads. The S100 Pro Comp helmet has been in use since 2003, although it wasn’t made essential to wear until this year (although several players chose to do so last season, making the S100 Pro Comp helmet the unofficial premiere of the S100 Pro Comp). A good thing, too, considering that the less-protective variants were only capable of withstanding ball speeds of up to 68 miles per hour. Unless it’s R.A. Dickey hurling rocks at your head, you’re going to need a lot more assistance than that.
In conclusion, most of these advancements have made the sport much safer for the athletes involved, and much more interesting and real to the spectators.
