History of Table Tennis
First appearing in the 1890's, table tennis was an after dinner game played on the dinning table. Using long rackets and poor quality cork balls, the game fell into quick demise. The game simmered down and vanished for many years.
1920
1920 rolled along and the new technology screamed celluloid, the material of the future. Still using wooden paddles, the celluloid ball revived the parlor game into a competitive sport. With J. Jacques in England and Parker Brothers in the US, the popular game 'Ping-Pong' started to hit the shelves. Clubs began to grow and soon the International Table Tennis Federation(ITTF) was formed in 1927.
|
1930
A major change in the sport happened in the 1930's. Similar to the technology of the Celluloid ball, rackets were about to get their own make over. With hard rubber rackets being introduced into the sport, players were able to control the spin of the balls and the speed of which the ball left the racket sky rocketed. Popularity only continued to grow. Soon after, in 1933 the United States Table Tennis Association (USTTA) was formed.
https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Table-Tennis |
1950
Japan was at the top with their defensive chopping and stratigic plays. However, their defense seemed to have a weakness. China's fast-attack style of play. They showed the world the importance of the serve and serve-return game play. Since then China has saturated the top teir leagues in the world. Several Europeans and American have broken through the Chinese skill and have come home with world titles, but for the foreseeable future, China will be the team to beat.
1980
Present Day
Table Tennis has become one of the largest participation sports in the world. As of 2017, the ITTF consisted of 226 national associations, out matching FIFA at 211 members. It is constantly changing and adapting to new technologies and policies adapted by the ITTF.
World Table tennis has emerged as an organization in partnership with ITTA to publicize, sponsor and co-ordinate more competitions, all the while raising the numbers of players competing.
The future of Table Tennis would not have happen without it's successful history. With technological advancements, and the support of the sport on a global and local level.
World Table tennis has emerged as an organization in partnership with ITTA to publicize, sponsor and co-ordinate more competitions, all the while raising the numbers of players competing.
The future of Table Tennis would not have happen without it's successful history. With technological advancements, and the support of the sport on a global and local level.