Old FIRST compared to New FIRST

[Damiaen_Florian]

I've always heard a lot of people say how much different FIRST was "Back in the day" so I was just wondering if some of the older members on here could discuss what some of the major differences were between these past few years of FIRST and FIRST back in the 1990's and early 2000's, aside from obvious things like different games and less teams. I figure it'd be cool for some of us younger members to get some insight into the history of FIRST.

[Koko Ed]

Originally Posted by Damiaen_Florian

I've always heard a lot of people say how much different FIRST was "Back in the day" so I was just wondering if some of the older members on here could discuss what some of the major differences were between these past few years of FIRST and FIRST back in the 1990's and early 2000's, aside from obvious things like different games and less teams. I figure it'd be cool for some of us younger members to get some insight into the history of FIRST.

This terrific video gives you a good idea about what happened in 1992.

[Jay O'Donnell]

Originally Posted by Koko Ed

This terrific video gives you a good idea about what happened in 1992.

Dean had some serious facial hair...

[Koko Ed]

Some more videos from Youtube:
1996 Championships.
http://youtu.be/T8N6lnle1fc
http://youtu.be/flV2hM1m4sE
http://youtu.be/cOmCZobK7S0
http://youtu.be/y4W84N_4ELE
http://youtu.be/-Tr6xtPZ28k
1995
http://youtu.be/6yJ4suxGFFg
1994
http://s50.photobucket.com/user/X-Ca...tml?sort=3&o=0
1993
http://youtu.be/1rZyU9Xu8GE

[Chris Hibner]

In my day, we had to drive the robot up hill, no matter which direction we were driving. But we liked it.

The biggest change I've noticed is the family atmosphere is not nearly what it used to be. What I mean by that is you used to have 150 teams or so (total) and practically everyone knew everyone else. Now there are just too many teams to keep track of.

This is an interesting topic - maybe I'll post more when I have some time.

[Adam Freeman]

Originally Posted by Koko Ed

This terrific video gives you a good idea about what happened in 1992.

Incredible video Ed. Very insightful on what it was like at the start of all of this.

Such a different time (small and unproven concept) but so powerful that all the same concepts (cooperation between mentors and students, GP, competition, etc..) are still exactly the same today.

One of the biggest things I noticed is that Dean is much more engaging and interesting when he is speaking in this manner, than how he talks to us now. I wish he would go back to the speech pattern he used back then.

[Alan Anderson]

Originally Posted by Adam Freeman

One of the biggest things I noticed is that Dean is much more engaging and interesting when he is speaking in this manner, than how he talks to us now. I wish he would go back to the speech pattern he used back then.

If you've ever had the pleasure of listening to Dean Kamen speak in front of a relatively small group, you'll know that he does still talk that way. He's just not able to express his passion effectively when addressing thousands of people at once.

[Kims Robot]

Originally Posted by Koko Ed

Some more videos from Youtube:
1996 Championships.
http://youtu.be/T8N6lnle1fc
http://youtu.be/flV2hM1m4sE
http://youtu.be/cOmCZobK7S0
http://youtu.be/y4W84N_4ELE
http://youtu.be/-Tr6xtPZ28k

And there goes my afternoon! Im not sure I knew this existed!! This was my first year (saw my first FIRST robot - Hook - flash by in the first video... gotta watch to see if there is more!!) Hexagon Havoc was such an awesome game, I'd love to see it replayed!! Gosh they really need ESPN to do something like this again...

I know there are some "old days" threads floating around too, I'll have to dig them up.

[Peter Matteson]

Originally Posted by Alan Anderson

If you've ever had the pleasure of listening to Dean Kamen speak in front of a relatively small group, you'll know that he does still talk that way. He's just not able to express his passion effectively when addressing thousands of people at once.

He was even far better when he spoke at my college graduation than he is now. I think he misjudges the audience when it's already people involved in FIRST. He doesn't engage them the same way or act as though he has to earn and keep their attention.

[Koko Ed]

The Technokats History Project is the best place to get information about old skool FIRST.

[Travis Hoffman]

I miss Disney. And no bumpers.

Anyway, here's a link to video of the 1999 Championship eliminations. I believe much of this footage was recorded for a Delphi-produced video on FIRST:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...0EDA122AFA63BE

You'll see quite a few recognizable faces in this!

[Alan Anderson]

Originally Posted by Koko Ed

The Technokats History Project...

...has not yet been fixed after it failed to transfer cleanly to the new web server. Sorry. It's on our To Do list.

[PayneTrain]

Originally Posted by Adam Freeman

One of the biggest things I noticed is that Dean is much more engaging and interesting when he is speaking in this manner, than how he talks to us now. I wish he would go back to the speech pattern he used back then.

To add on to what Alan said, I remember how night-and-day he was going from the opening ceremonies last year to the Dean's List presentation. It's mostly stage fright, I guess.

I think a comeback of the beard would help immensely...

[Steven Donow]

Originally Posted by Travis Hoffman

And no bumpers.

This is, to me, the biggest difference when watching older games.

[Alex Cormier]

It was great back before bumpers, when teams actually built strong drive bases that could withstand abuse.