Timeline: Table tennis

1800

Origins in England

It was in England, in the late 19th century, that table tennis made its appearance. Taking inspiration from lawn tennis, the first players belonged to middle-class Victorian society. The first game would have been played using a champagne cork as a ball, cigar boxes as bats and books for the net. At that point, table tennis was seen as a mere distraction for the wealthy classes.

1890

First game on a table

Englishman David Foster, introduced the fisrt game of tennis table on a table because he was attracted by its wide appeal

1897

First national championships

In 1897, the fisrt national championships were organised in Hungary

1901

First celluloid ball

James Gibb during his trip yo United States brought back the first celluloid ball, which was a lot lighter than the rubber balls.

1902

First official World Championship

1902

First bats covered in rubber

E.C. Gould, a British enthusiast of the game, introduced the first bats covered in rubber and rubberized pimples.

1907

First European Championships

1921

Table Tennis Association

The Table Tennis Association was created in Englan.

1926

World Championships in London

1926

International Federation of Tennis Table

1927

French Table Tennis Federation

1929

First participation of France

The French would participate for the first taime in Budapest

1950

Tennis Table in Asia

The tennis table became integral to the countries of Asia in 1950s

Period: 1954 to 1959

The Japanese had the domain

The Japanese excelled at the World Team Championships. This domination was bolstered by the introduction of foam, which transformed classic bats. The Japanese have provided several world champions, including the likes of Hiroji Sato, with their impressive results in 1956 in Tokyo.