The history of starting blocks

[denberg]

1/ What was the last world record set for the a/ 100yards and b/ 100metres without starting blocks?

2/ What was the last Olympic final without starting blocks?

Many thanks.

[John fr Sweden]

I ones read that it was Charley Paddock (olympic champion 1920) who invented the starting block. But I also remember watching a film from the olympic final in Berlin 1936 in wich every sprinter was digging in the track before start.
So I think The answers are:
1/ Jesse Owens 10,2 (In 1921 Paddock ran a 10,2 in a 110 yard race, wich is longer than 100 m, but i don´t know if that mark was ever officially recognised).
2/ Berlin 1936

[CaptainAmerica]

Running the 100 meter I can remember when we started out without the starting blocks. It is a huge difference. It didnt take long before we started learning how to use the blocks, but such an improvement has helped improve the sport.

Wonder what will come next, if anything?

[Bislett]

Starting blocks have become one of the few items, along with the change of timing technology. Doyou think there is other improvements in the track and field that can improve timing of the athletes?

I was wondering in the start signal? Could there be a better way if we used signals? Is this easier for the athletes to react to compared to sound?

[Timberlake]

I guess one could improve the shoes or the equipment that can replace shoes, or if we could get a different starting method that would give you more trust when you started?

[XCrunner40]

The crazy thing about starting blocks is, sometimes they can jack up your whole start because they slip or are set wrong. But man, do they help when they don't do anything wierd. I remember when i didn't use starting blocks, and boy, were my times different then!

[Run4Fun]

Personally, my thoughts on starting blocks are that they work VERY well when you are expierenced and know how to use them, but it you try them for your first time for a race, then you are stupid and just asking for trouble. My freshman and sophomore year I wouldn't really use the blocks except for a 100, and most of the time I didn't even use it for that, but now I use them for everything up to the 400. They're crucial in a successful start for a short sprint (100, 200) but for anyone short of an elite athlete in a 400, they pretty much just remind you to stay strong in the beginning and start out fast.

[John fr Sweden]

One interesting story: Allan Wells from Scotland didn't use starting blocks until 1980, the very same year he won the olympic 100 m-title. He didn't like starting blocks. But a recent change in the international rules forced him to use them.

[Run4Fun]

I was wondering in the start signal? Could there be a better way if we used signals? Is this easier for the athletes to react to compared to sound?

I heard somewhere that people react to sound faster than visual stimuli, but I can't confirm than.

[getsgoin]

I heard somewhere that people react to sound faster than visual stimuli, but I can't confirm than.

I know at swimming competition they have the gun and a stobe light. I personally run better with the sound start because I can focus on my start and not looking at something.

[wingedsandals]

I definitely think a visual stimulus would be harder for a start signal. I like the noise, but adding a visual might not be too bad. I'm not sure what else they can really improve on except maybe running surface.

[Spikes]

It is counter intuitive that sound is the most effective, given the fact that sound travels slower than light. However I think that the focus is the bigger issue-people can respond to the auditory cue without having to change position, without having to change their point of focus for the race, and so it works better with not disturbing them.