In the 18th and 19th centuries, gentlemen's clubs would vote whether to accept a new member. Each man would secretly place a ball in an urn, either black or wh

In the 18th and 19th centuries, gentlemen's clubs would vote whether to accept a new member. Each man would secretly place a ball in an urn, either black or white. If your urn contained even one black ball, your membership was vetoed and your chances - ruined.