MAMEWorld Forums - The Loony Bin - Re: Coulda made one of these in woodshop class...

> > > > ...instead of the picture frames, bookcases and other doodads I wasted time on.
>
> > >
> > > I remember crossbows were popular in wood shop... and paddles.
> > >
> > > You weren't allowed to make paddles, tho, so if the teacher caught you making a
> > > paddle, they used it on you. Nothing like a test drive to make sure your design
> was
> > > sleek, aerodynamic, and painful.
> >
> > Were the holes drilled in those to cut down on wind resistance or to increase pain?
> > Or maybe it served a duel (or dual?) purpose.
>
>
> The disciplinary paddles at my elementary school in the midwest were drilled for two
> reasons near as I can tell: 1) The holes not only decreased air resistance, but
> resulted in multiple painful welts after delivery rather than one large one; and 2)
> Psychological terror. Aside from looking wicked, the holes helped generate a terrific
> "whoooshing" noise as the paddle was swung, adding to the whole ambience of horror as
> one was swung down toward your backside.
>
> For added psychological effect, the schools paddles were also painted matte black and
> stored in fitted covers, allowing the disciplinarian to make a great show of the
> unholstering and brandishing of said paddle.
>
> Only tasted the sting of the paddle once; once was enough for me. Effective attitude
> adjustment right there.

Wow, you guys are old. I went to school in the post-corporal punishment era. I even went to Catholic school and never so much as got my knuckles rapped.