Electricity Records Fencing Hits (Nov, 1939)
Electricity Records Fencing Hits
Even the ancient sport of fencing has been “wired for sound!’ Contestants in a recent match in England were equipped with trailing wires connected to an electrical apparatus that rang a bell and flashed lights when one fencer’s foil made contact with a vulnerable spot on his opponent. The idea was first tried out at the match between Oxford and Cambridge Universities and made a great hit with fencers and spectators alike.





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This newfangled electrical scoring apparatus will surely transform our fine art of fencing into a cesspool of flick-style attack manoeuvers, orthopedic handles and coloured hosiery. Truly this marks the beginning of the decline of our art into madness. What indeed will these “innovators” conceive of next? Perhaps a mask with a transparent visor of sorts? Even, dare I say it, such vulgarities as “debounce” and “lockout”? It’s precisely this sort of cheapening of our art that will render it a mere sport, barely preserving its proud legacy of a frank encounter betwixt two gentlemen on a dewy lawn settling matters of honour.
Down with this sort of thing.