Russell Joseph of Indianapolis Shortridge Performance Became the First Dispute Time
Russell Joseph. Indianapolis Shortridge High School’s fine sprinter would run 10.0 on two watches and 10.2 on the third watch in the 1904 IHSAA State Meet, by rule at that time the official record should have been recorded as 10.0 and the 10.2 dropped in the 100-yard dash. However, as was frequently the final discussion on time was arranged by the committee and they would disallow rules, Russell’s 10.0 would have been a state meet record that would have stood until Willie Fowlkes of Muncie Central 9.9 in 1928. A 24-yerarrecord and tied by Harvey Blair – Hammond 1906, Russell “Rut” Walters- Kokomo 1925 and Joe Scully- Noblesville 1927’ Joseph would become a double winner by winning the 220-yard dash in 23.6
Question: How could the Joseph timing problem have been solved?
Answer: By Professor Plumb’s auto timing device if it had been developed earlier.
Professor Plumb’s Auto Timing Device
In 1912, a professor (teacher) from Evansville High School, used batteries, wire, blocks of wood, nails and a stopwatch and formed an automatic timing device for indoor track meets. Professor Plumb tinkered with electricity invented and copyrights an automatic timing device.
The device itself started with a stopwatch, which was the essential item. Then became a funny looking steel compartment that closely resembles the remnants of a sewing machine. The electrical component was supplied by two dry cell batteries, then a spring that works a steel ball on the end that looks like it had been from a large electric bell.
It might be said that the clapper strikes the stem of the stopwatch, starting, stopping, and resetting the watch, all without human hands. Hands are used but merely to pull a string to start the watch. The string was then placed across the finish line and when the runner touches it the watch stops.
The device was to save time and do away with three or four timers trying to get their watches to agree. Remember in those days only first place was timed.