Page 42 - DWV PROMO BOOK

Tennis Tech

Tennis Electronic Lines (TEL) developed an amazing technology back in the early 90’s that could analyze the path and predict the
spot where a tennis ball would land. It required wiring the court and putting a sliver of metal in the balls, but it worked, and the
US Open decided to start using it to help ensure the fairness of points and judging. They had one problem: their controller that the
umpires would use was horrible. I was asked to make them functional and beautiful. It was hard to believe this system could really
work, but I took their word for it and started imagining I was a pro tennis umpire, sitting on my lifeguard chair, in the sun, trying
to watch match play while manipulating a controller between each point.

Sun screen, sweat, distractions, different size hands, right-handed umpires, left-handed umpires. There was a lot to consider,
especially since the inventors hadn’t really considered any of this stuff. I was into “human factors” or ergonomics. The human-
machine interface was all about performance and I wanted to make the system perform. At the same time, I had installed the
latest, greatest 3D modeling computer on the planet. Silicon Graphics computers and Alias software had made Star Wars and
General Motors able to do more with less. I wanted in, so I invested in a starter system. It was amazing. And the presentations of
my designs were amazing to all who saw them. The funny thing is how they now look so completely lame, almost like a beginner
3D class might make today. – DW

1991 • Tennis Electronic Lines (TEL) system controller • Used at US Open • Early 3D renderings using Alias software and Silicon Graphics computers