Pole vaulting is an incredible sport to watch. The vaulter's technique can be so fluid and graceful -- the result of a highly studied technique designed to optimize energy conversion.

Photo courtesy www.TullyRunners.com The pole vault originated in Europe, where men used the pole to cross canals filled with water. See more pole vault pictures.

In this article, we will learn a little bit about the history of pole vaulting, and then we will explore the physics of pole vaulting.