You have it BB. Up until then they made do with heeped up sawdust encased between sacking at the sides. At the 1948 olympics vaulters were still landing on sand. The high jumpers had to wait until 1968 before getting effective bedding - just in time for Fosbury. Over to you.
ah..... They are seen as symbols of the military, a custom with origins in the religious and political persecution in 16th and 17th century Europe. Men of the nobility and upper classes, who often served as military officers, wore moustaches but not beards.... and of course the Amish were conscientious objectors?
I guess it is to do with the plastic cups and plates, but do not know of a country that has gone further.
There is a state in India (can't remember which one) which banned all plastic products, but that was quite some time ago.