Wimbledon diary: manual draw boards and shrinkflation on the Hill
![Wimbledon diary: manual draw boards and shrinkflation on the Hill](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/adbb7785abc63322b7555d37c67b3bdf7a6c77fb/0_0_3500_2101/master/3500.jpg?width=460&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=deefa4aebd2b945cbb2fbc210e85a5db)
Some areas of the tournament have resisted the merciless onward march of technology – and that’s a blessing
Much of the vast stream of data generated at Wimbledon has long since been digitised and the last hand-operated scoreboard was pensioned off years ago, so it is good to report that the tournament’s magnificent manual draw boards, which are dotted around the grounds to chart the progress of the main championships, are still going strong.
Sean Pontin and Andrew Billingham have overseen the operation since the mid-1980s, and were busily printing names and results on to metal bars and labels from lunchtime on Monday. Their staff need a ladder to reach the top end of the draw in the early part of the championships, and while it remains a labour-intensive operation – and inevitably less immediate than the press of an umpire’s button which sends the outcome of every point around the world in a nanosecond – it has its advantages.
Continue reading...Date: |
Filter
-
The Guardian - World
Wimbledon diary: AI mishaps, clippings and reaction-speed testers
The AI trained preview bot could have done with a trip to the museum while cult favourite Bill Bryson paid a special Independence Day visit. Wimbledon’s much-hyped experiment in using generative AI to “deliver compelling, insight-driven ...Artificial Intelligence -
The Hill - Politics
Boston Globe editorial board calls for Biden to step aside
The editorial board at The Boston Globe called on President Biden to suspend his campaign following his poor debate performance and a rocky few days for the Democratic Party. “In the days since last week’s presidential debate, President Biden’s ...Joe Biden -
Politico - Politics
Hill Democrats don’t want Biden to debate again
Joe Biden -
ABC News - World
Greece's governing center-right party evicts lawmaker after airport altercation over flight boarding
Greece’s governing center-right party has booted out a lawmaker and former minister who allegedly manhandled an airport worker in a failed bid to board a domestic flight he’d turned up late for -
GameSpot - Tech
Why Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F Took 30 Years To Make
The first two Beverly Hills Cops movies are beloved by fans of the franchise. The third movie, 1994's Beverly Hills Cop 3, has a different reputation among viewers. The third Axel Foley adventure was a massive critical bomb and made less than half ... -
GameSpot - Tech
The 30-Year Journey to Bring Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F to Life
According to Eddie Murphy, Axel Foley needed to grow up for a fourth Beverly Hills Cop movie. -
Politico - Politics
Biden calls senior Hill Democrats as post-debate concerns grow louder
Joe Biden -
Politico - Politics
Hill Democrats focus on Trump debate answers after halting Biden performance
Joe Biden -
CNBC - Business
Women’s soccer draws private-equity interest as team valuations soar
Sixth Street and Carlyle have each have each struck deals at soaring team valuations. -
ESPN - Sports
Murray's farewell at Wimbledon starts with loss
Andy Murray's Wimbledon farewell got off to a difficult start as he was knocked out of the men's doubles in the first round alongside his brother Jamie.
More from The Guardian
-
The Guardian - World
Exit poll suggests Labour set for huge landslide win in UK general election - latest live news
Exit poll predicts Labour will win 410 seats, securing a majority of 170, to the Conservatives’ 131. UK general election results 2024: live trackerFull story: Exit poll shows Starmer on course for huge winWhat time will we know who won? Guide to ...United Kingdom -
The Guardian - World
Labour hardly dared to believe. But it seems the polls weren’t lying
After the Brexit battering of 2019, the party was at a low ebb. This has been a remarkable four-year turnaround. General election 2024: live newsUK general election results liveWhen will we know who won? Hour-by-hour election night guideRight up ... -
The Guardian - World
The seconds ticked by to 10pm, when the people’s will would be revealed | John Crace
Democracy can be tense, that one point in the cycle when power resides with the people and not politicians. General election 2024: live newsUK general election results liveWhen will we know who won? Hour-by-hour election night guideIt felt as if ... -
The Guardian - World
What happens after polling day in the UK election?
When will the new prime minister take office and what happens during the first days of a new government?. UK general election live: latest updatesLive tracker: UK general election results 2024Voters went to the polls on Thursday to pass verdict on ...United Kingdom -
The Guardian - World
Trump calls Biden ‘broken-down’ and claims he quit 2024 race in leaked video
Clip obtained by Daily Beast shows ex-president sitting in golf cart, holding cash, as he discusses presidential debate. “A broken-down pile of crap” on the verge of “quitting the race” was Donald Trump’s summation of Joe Biden in a ...Joe Biden