Kind of a quiz... I was wondering where and when a scoreboard was used for the very first time?
So far, my best proposal is that French board above, first used during Olympic games in Paris in 1900. The board celebrates French gold medal (ok, only three teams... Moseley for "England" + Frankfurt F.C. for "Germany"... cf more at rugbyfootballhistory.com ) after a 27-17 win over the German team.
The newspaper caption reads (in French) "The Scoreboard - A successful innovation"... can't find more accurate wording!
Please also check this great view of Wellington stadium on this famous Test Match New Zealand vs Britain in August 1904... 9-3 for the Colonials (details here)... I love the massive crowd packing on the hill!
Caption reads (cf larger pic here) "Note the up-to-date method of recording the score" suggesting a very recent use... yet extensively covered by advertising...
I'll be very happy to receive other suggestions and evidences of earlier boards in other countries of our rugby planet!
Edit Jan 30th: First scoreboard in Sydney SCC reported in 1896-1897 - thank you Michel !
The present Ladies Stand was completed. The Ned Gregory Scoreboard was built.
Rugby matches were played at the SCG in this period..New Zealand played Combined suburbs XVII in 1884 at the ground. This was the first overseas tour. New Zealand played 3 matches at SCG in 1897 (year after the scoreboard was built) ...so we can assume the new scoreboard was used. Will search for images
Michael Fahey
Fredric,
No image yet but the Sydney cricket ground site states;
1896
The present Ladies Stand was completed. The Ned Gregory Scoreboard was built.
Rugby matches were played at the SCG in this period..New Zealand played Combined suburbs XVII in 1884 at the ground. This was the first overseas tour. New Zealand played 3 matches at SCG in 1897 (year after the scoreboard was built) ...so we can assume the new scoreboard was used. Will search for images
Michael Fahey
Posted by: Michael Fahey | 30/01/2013 at 05:14
Great catch! thank you Michel... Ive edited my post!
Posted by: Frederic (www.rugby-pioneers.com) | 30/01/2013 at 08:25