You might at some time have read a story written in round-robin technique. A story that is started by one author, and finished by another, with perhaps one or more other authors contributing “middle” sections. And all working independently.
We have something like that this month–a trilogy of programs on related subjects, but done by three separate authors, each working without reference to either of the other programs.
As you know, there are three methods of signalling in widespread use: audible Morse, blinker Morse, and two-handed semaphore. We also used to use a single-flag wig-wag when I was in the Boy Scouts, but that system is much slower than semaphore, its direct competitor.
Of course, there are also more exotic systems, like radio-teletype and telepathy; and less complicated systems, like megaphones, sign language, talking drums, and visually outlining the letters of a message. But let’s pretend that there aren’t.
After spending several years as supervisor of the radio gang in the US Navy during the 1940’s (notice, I said “supervisor”, which means that I didn’t really have to learn the code myself), I naturally went audio for my SWN contest entry. Besides, I’m a lover of music–remember?
Sheldon Gilbert, a sailing enthusiast, chose semaphore. This system requires the barest minimum of space and weight allowance for equipment–actually, you can send semaphore quite satisfactorily with your bare hands–so it is understandably popular on small boats.
Peter Wentworth, with more recent experience in the Navy, took the blinker approach. Blinker has one distinct advantage over semaphore–it can be used in total darkness.
NOTE: I suppose that I should apologize for the titles I gave these articles, but you can’t say you weren’t warned.