Is semaphor still useful?

[Forester]

With the latest technology and gadgets available at our disposal, is still necessary to learn semaphor? I mean how many of us still know it? Do they still teach it in the girl/boy scout?

[Grandpa]

Haven't heard of anyone using semaphor in the last 40 years but I still teach morris code and single flag signaling.....when I can get a kid to learn the code.

[Refrigerator]

Don't know the answer to your question Grandpa but do know what Semaphore is.

The Semaphore flag signaling system is an alphabet signalling system based on the waving of a pair of hand-held flags in a particular pattern.

The flags are usually square, red and yellow, divided diagonaly with the red portion in the upper hoist.

The flags are held, arms extended, in various positions representing each of the letters of the alphabet. The pattern resembles a clock face divided into eight positions: up, down, out, high, low, for each of the left and right hands (LH and RH) six letters require the hand to be brought across the body so that both flags are on the same side.