History Of Table Tennis
Table tennis is a sport in which two or four players play with rackets which are used for hitting the ball from side to side. Although the table tennis is similar to lawn tennis, the difference is only in rules. Table tennis is a quick game so it requires a lot of quick reflexes.
The brief history of table tennis is given below. Although both names i.e. ping pong and table tennis refer to the same game but a brief history of both is provided. There has been a lot of research on the history of table tennis as well as on the history of ping pong. Most distinguished of these is the one done by an Englishman in collaboration with some Americans, together they wrote a book called “Table Tennis: The Early Years”. In comparison to other sports in the world the origins of table tennis are somewhat quite amusing as well as interesting.
The table tennis history dates back to the 19th centaury in England, where it was started by an elite class of Victorians. These aristocrats were playing an indoor version of lawn tennis. The table tennis’s earlier version was a combination of daily household things, for instance the lid boxes were rackets, while the corks of Champaign served the purpose of the ball. In addition to these items books were lined in the center of the table to make a net.
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The history of ping pong is as old as the history of table tennis itself. As the popularity of the table tennis increased commercial production of equipment began, most notable manufacturer among was Jacques & Sons. The earlier version if table tennis rackets were made up of a frame stretched over with pieces of parchment. It was during this time that the name Ping Pong came into use. This name was given to the sport because of the sound that was produced from it. Actually the name ping pong came to be used only for the expensive equipment being produced by Jacques & Sons. It was in 1901 when Jacques & Sons sold the rights of ping pong to Parker Brothers. By this time the table tennis in United States was called as ping pong. But now both the names refer to the same sport. In year 1901, the invention of celluloid balls was a great achievement in the history of ping pong as well as table tennis. In the same time period modern day rackets were introduced in the market. Both of these items became very popular among the players of the sport.
By now table tennis and ping pong had become a very popular game in the world of sports. It is even rumored that in year 1902 an unofficial tournament was held. And as the popularity increased two associations were set up. One was “Table Tennis Association” the other was “Ping Pong Association”. The “Table Tennis Association” was formed in 1922 in England; later in 1926 the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) was formed. By the year 1927 first table tennis world championship was held. It was held in London, England.
Meanwhile in the US, American Ping Pong Association was formed in 1930. But later in 1933, two new associations by the names U. S. Amateur Table Tennis Association and the National Table Tennis Association were formed. By the year 1935 all three merged into the U.S. Table Tennis Association.
The history of the ping pong ball is as old as the sport it self. As discussed previously that in early days of the game people used corks of Champaign or knots of strings as balls or even rubber. But in 1901 an Englishman gave the idea of using celluloid balls for the table tennis or ping pong. At present the standard ball size is 40 mm in diameter.
The Olympic Table Tennis history is not old. It was first introduced in the summer Olympics of 1988 Seoul, South Korea. And this event was for both singles and doubles.
