Are you sure it wasn't from earlier than 1936? 1936 was the year the center jump following every basket was eliminated.
I know this because Jurassic and I worked the first game under the new rule. We were both entering the twilights of our careers then.
Oh yeah - whistles were made out of wood then. Plastic hadn't been invented yet. Lanyards were hemp, which made for some pretty interesting calls late in the game (if you know what I mean).
