Sports

 

Football: The Magic First Down Line 

If you've watched any football games in the last few years, you probably noticed the fluorescent yellow or orange line extending from one side of the field to the other -- seemingly painted on the field. In fact, the line is computer generated, representing exactly the spot that the offense must get to for a first down.  Players can run over top of it, the ball can be set down on it, but it doesn't even exist.  It takes a team of people and several computers to make it happen every time you turn on the game.