Mary

The prohibition to use oil or other substances to reduce friction is VERY old. It was there in 1973 when I first read the rules and I think it might have been there when the rules where first written, for the trick itself is even older.

The oldest book I read about it was from Jules Verne (XIX century) - a boat's captain ordered to dump oil to calm the waves and facilitate the entry through the reefs.

Cheers,