Dicker-rod

The dicker-rod (also spelled dickerod) was used in the defunct World Football League in 1974 and its shortened 1975 season for the purpose of replacing the first down chains more commonly used in gridiron football organizations. The device was invented and patented[1] by George Dicker (for whom the device is named) of Orange County, California.

The eponymous device was two and a half yards (90 inches) long. If a ball was placed on the 23-yard line, a marker would be placed 2 yards up the dicker-rod at the 25-yard line. Then, in order to measure whether a first down was attained, the dicker-rod would be laid down at the 35-yard line, and the spot of the ball would be measured against the marker on the rod, which would now be at the 33-yard line, 2 yards away from the 35-yard line.

The dicker-rod was intended to improve safety, as a ten yard length of chain laying along the sideline was a hazard for players. Additionally, it required one person to operate, rather than a three-person chain crew. However, the dicker-rod never caught on outside of the World Football League, and the first-down chain remains the standard.