What is the History of Table Tennis?
Table Tennis is a sport that is now played globally, but did you know it has its origins in the parlours of Victorian England? This game is loved by millions nowadays, but the journey of Table Tennis from a genteel parlour game to an Olympic sport is a fascinating tale of innovation and global cultural exchange.
In the late 19th century, Table Tennis began as an indoor diversion for the upper classes in England. It is believed that British military officers stationed in India devised an early version of the game in the 1860s or 1870s. They used a line of books as a net, more books as rackets, and a golf ball for continuous play.
The sports game was popularly known as "ping-pong" due to the sound the ball made when hit back and forth. This term was widely used until British manufacturer J. Jaques & Son Ltd trademarked it in 1901. Subsequently, the game played with Jaques's equipment was known as "ping-pong," while other manufacturers referred to it as "table tennis." In the United States, similar trademark enforcement by Parker Brothers in the 1920s led associations to adopt the name "table tennis."
Ping Pong in the 20th Century
The game's development saw significant contributions from enthusiasts like James W. Gibb and E.C. Goode. In 1901, Gibb introduced celluloid balls, finding them ideal for play, while Goode developed the modern racket by affixing pimpled rubber to a wooden blade. By this time, the popularity of Table Tennis had soared, with organised tournaments and even an unofficial world championship held in 1902.
Though "Table Tennis" and "Ping Pong" associations existed as early as 1910, a new Table Tennis Association was established in 1921 in England, later becoming the English Table Tennis Association. The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) followed in 1926, hosting the first official World Championships in London.
Interestingly, Edgar Snow noted in the 1930s that Chinese Communist forces had a keen interest in Table Tennis. Conversely, the sport's popularity declined in the Soviet Union during this period, partly due to the promotion of team and military sports and concerns over its health effects.
The 1950s saw a transformative change with the introduction of paddles comprising a rubber sheet and an underlying sponge layer. Introduced to Britain by S.W. Hancock Ltd., this innovation added more spin and speed to the game. The use of speed glue in the 1980s further escalated this, leading to adjustments in equipment to slow the game down.
The ultimate accolade for Table Tennis came in 1988 when it was included as an Olympic sport, a recognition of its global appeal and competitive nature.
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