Ping Pong, short history
(Table Tennis) began as a mild social diversion. It was probably played with improvised equipment in England, during the last quarter of the 19th century. Though Ping Pong (Table Tennis) evolved, along with Badminton and Lawn Tennis, from the ancient game of Tennis, the game was developed after Lawn Tennis became popular in the 1880s.
The earliest surviving action game of Tennis on a table is a set made by David Foster, patented in England in 1890: Parlour Table Games, which included table versions of Lawn Tennis, Cricket and Football. This game featured strung rackets, a 30mm cloth covered rubber ball, a wooden cipro 250 mg tablet fence set up around the perimeter of the table, and large side nets extending along both sides.
1890. Only known example. ITTF Museum
The game quickly caught on with the public, marketed under many different names:
Ping Pong or Gossima, Ping Pong, Table Tennis, Whiff Waff, Parlour Tennis, Indoor Tennis, Pom-Pom, Pim-Pam, Netto, Royal Game, Tennis de Salon, and others… Gradually the two most popular names prevailed: Ping Pong, and Table Tennis.
The Most Unifying Social Sport
China dominates competitive table tennis, but USA champion player Marty Reisman says, it’s American rec-room ping pong that has elevated the culture of the sport to something truly great.
