Harry Porter taking part in the high jump
The 25 year old Harry Porter (USA) won the 1908 high jump title with a new Olympic record of 1.905m (6ft 3in) using a modified 'scissors' style. Note the handkerchief draped over the bar to aid sighting. Various styles have been used in the past, such as the 'Eastern Cut-Off' developed from the original scissors in the 1890s, and the 'Western Roll' which was invented in 1910.
When America’s Dick Fosbury came up with his 'Flop' technique, and then won the 1968 Olympic title with it, his style gradually took over, and today virtually all high jumpers around the world use it.
