An Australian tennis enthusiast, named Edward Both invented the electronic tennis scoreboard around 1952. He and brother Don designed and tested the unit in South Australia before its’ launch at the 1952 NSW championships. The new technology took off and BOTH EQUIPMENT Pty Ltd became the supplier of these scoreboards to other venues including trotting, basketball and horseracing. The technology with 9000 globes was used for the Melbourne Olympic Games in 1956.
Not only were Edward and Don good players but they inherited their interest from R.V.Thomas (their Uncle) who won Wimbledon Doubles with Pat O’Hara Wood in 1919 and the Australian doubles in 1919 & 1920.
Now the scoreboard invention was no fluke, because Edward Both had also designed the World renowned, life saving IRON LUNG.
It took two people to operate, one for the games and the other for points. Looks like a great match between best mates and rivals here!
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