U. S. Flag usage: when did half-staff change from "flag distance from top of pole" to halfway down pole? Why?

Question

In 1950 the Scout handbook described proper half=staff display of the U.S. Flag as a flag's distance from the top of the pole. I see that no flags are displayed this way in 2007. The present U.S. Flag code describes 1/2 staff as halfway down the pole. What changed, and who did it?

Answer 1

It has to do with the size of flags. There are many people who purchase over-sized flags for the flagpole they are using, which brings them precariously close to the ground .