Re: pic: Ahh the good ole days when Einstein was outside in the HOT Florida sun. Who
 

A "Back in My Day" book? That could be amazing, or terrible. I just keep having flashbacks to the get off my lawn threads of late...

That being said, back in my day, we didn't have bumpers, and loved it.

Re: pic: Ahh the good ole days when Einstein was outside in the HOT Florida sun. Who
 

I was hoping when they announced no bumpers this year that we would have that again. Those days were great. You had to make chassis that could take good hits.

Re: pic: Ahh the good ole days when Einstein was outside in the HOT Florida sun. Who
 

Never underestimate the pain that two drill motors can bring... :D Remember how by '05, an awful lot of offense robots had angled sides just to keep the D off?

Re: pic: Ahh the good ole days when Einstein was outside in the HOT Florida sun. Who
 

I actually wasn't around, but I've heard stories from fellow mentors, watched videos, and seen the carnage to our old robots that I want it back.

Re: pic: Ahh the good ole days when Einstein was outside in the HOT Florida sun. Who
 

Wouldn't it also be good for some of the newer members to share some of their experiences? It's great to see some of the first impressions that FIRST makes on people. Great idea, btw.

Re: pic: Ahh the good ole days when Einstein was outside in the HOT Florida sun. Who
 

Ah yes, the wonderful flipping wedge. Yet another banned design that makes one wonder "gee what inspired that rule". Oddly enough, pretty much every "design ban" in the rules year after year like that has a historical precedent. You know a team has found something when it gets banned the next year (studded wheels/file cards, cheesy vision, etc.).

Re: pic: Ahh the good ole days when Einstein was outside in the HOT Florida sun. Who
 

Actually, I'm 90% certain that that particular design ban was from one very particular match. (The other 10% thinks it was from 2/3 of the world champions having wedges for defense purposes only.)

That particular match, up until MAYBE a year or two ago, was the only time in FRC history that an elimination match tied at zero points due to both alliances being disqualified. Both alliances tipped one robot from the other alliance, intentionally enough to draw the wrath of the referees. At least one robot involved had almost no vertical surface between about 2" and about 18" from the floor...

Re: pic: Ahh the good ole days when Einstein was outside in the HOT Florida sun. Who
 

Epcot 2002 was my first championship event. It was a spectacle I won't forget.

I went there to surprise my oldest son Matt, the human player for Bomb Squad (Team 16). While I was there, I met the Rookie All-Star team from SoCal (Team 980). I recognized their lead mentor, Rob as a co-worker from JPL. He invited to work with the team and I've been with the team ever since. Yep, that's how I got sucked into FRC!

I've been to every Championship since 2002. Although the outdoor venue and Epcot was fun, I appreciate FIRST Championship simply cannot revert to that sort of venue. I agree with Koko Ed about 2003: that trek between the pits and fields in Houston was a bear. Since then, Atlanta and St Louis have been great facilities to host Championships. I will be interesting to see the future venues in Houston, Detroit,... and beyond?