The history and origins of table tennis
Table tennis, a recreational activity and an Olympic sport since 1988, is also known by the term ping-pong. Though excluded from official terminology, this name is very popular today. It notably originates from the onomatopoeic sound of the ball that appeared in the Far East in 1884: ping is imitative of the sound of a bat striking a ball and pong equates to the sound of the bounce on the table. Does the history of table tennis intrigue you? Settle in and let yourself be guided through its origins.
The origins of table tennis
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. In 1890, Englishman David Foster, attracted by its wide appeal, introduced the first game of tennis on a table. In 1897, the first national championships were organised in Hungary. Following a trip to the United States, in 1901 James Gibb brought back the first celluloid ball, which was a lot lighter than the rubber balls. A year later, in 1902, E.C. Gould, a British enthusiast of the game, introduced the first bats covered in rubber and rubberised pimples. It was game on for the history of table tennis!
The first table tennis tournaments and championships
Following on from the success of the first public tournaments at Queen's Hall in London, it was in 1902 that the first official World Championship took place. The sport enjoyed increased growth and the British Table Tennis Federation was created. The first European Championships were subsequently organised in 1907. Everything stepped up a gear in the 1920s. The Table Tennis Association was created in England in 1921, followed by the International Federation in 1926. The World Championships between the different countries were held in London in 1926 and the French Table Tennis Federation saw the light of day in 1927. The French would participate for the first time in Budapest in 1929. The history of table tennis is coloured by a great many champions, including the Austro-Briton Richard Bergmann, Franco-Polish player Aloizy Ehrlich and the Romanian Angelica Rozeanu.
The rise of table tennis in Asia
In the 1950s, table tennis became integral to the countries of Asia. The Japanese excelled at the World Team Championships between 1954 and 1959. This domination was bolstered by the introduction of foam, which transformed classic bats. The Japanese provided several world champions, including Hiroji Sato, distinguishing themselves with their impressive results in 1956 in Tokyo. The 1960s heralded the arrival of Chinese supremacy, punctuated by Zhuang Zedong's triple world champion titles in 1961, 1963 and 1965. It was during this period that ping-pong diplomacy was developed, which contributed to the improvement in Sino-American relations. In 1977, during the World Championships in Birmingham, the first Chinese service was used. The service went from being seen as a mere serve to becoming a strategic element of the game. Asia's place in the history of table tennis went on to become absolutely critical to the progress of this international sport.
It was against this backdrop of the democratisation of table tennis that Cornilleau developed and manufactured its first table tennis tables. The family business then industrialised its know-how to meet the craze of the time and the growing demand.
Table tennis, the most practised sport in the world
Table tennis has been an Olympic sport since 1988 in Seoul. The first gold medals were awarded to Chinese player Chen Jing and Korean player Yoo Nam-kyu. The sport gradually turned professional with the emergence of the Pro Tour in 1996. The practice has remained dominated by Asian players since 1995, including Wang Liqin, triple world champion and world number 1 for numerous years. Today, table tennis is the most practised sport in Asia. In Europe, table tennis boasts champions like Belgian player Jean-Michel Saive, the German Timo Boll and the Dane Michael Maze. In 2016, Chinese players Ma Long, Fan Zhendong, Xu Xin and Zhang Jike and German player Dimitrij Ovtcharov were leading the world ranking. In 2005, the number of players in the world was estimated to be over 260 million. The International Table Tennis Federation embraces more than 200 nations and 33 million members. Competitions, club tournaments and championships are organised the world over. In June 2016, France boasted 207,213 members. The history of table tennis is today expressed through a constantly evolving enthusiasm, coloured by the many benefits of regular practice.
Table tennis equipment
Table tennis relies on simple equipment: a table, bats and balls. Indoor ping pong tables are favored for gentle indoor practice. Outdoor ping pong tables, which are a lot more solid and durable, are perfect for outdoor games without risk of damage. Protective Cornilleau covers provide additional protection. For professionals, competition ping pong tables provide a level of solidity that can withstand anything. Foam rubber ping pong bats with rubbers provide both precision and control. From beginner to expert or professional, there are numerous ping pong ball models to suit all kinds of games. The history of table tennis is all the richer for its developments. Today the most popular sport in the world, it is constantly bringing together players from all walks of life.
[FAQ] Frequently asked questions about the history of table tennis
Who invented ping pong?
Table tennis, also known as ping pong, was invented in England in the late 19th century. The sport is credited to several pioneers, most notably Englishman David Foster who introduced the first game of tennis on a table in 1890, and James Gibb who brought back the first celluloid ball from the United States in 1901. E.C. Gould then introduced the first rubber-covered bat in 1902, marking the true beginning of the sport as we know it today.
What is ping-pong diplomacy?
Ping-pong diplomacy refers to a major historical episode of the 1970s in which sporting exchanges in table tennis between the United States and China contributed to a normalisation of diplomatic relations between the two countries. In 1971, the American table tennis team was invited to visit China, paving the way for President Nixon's official visit to Beijing in 1972. This episode illustrates the unifying power of table tennis that extends far beyond sport itself.
Is Cornilleau part of the history of table tennis?
Yes. Cornilleau is a French family business that has been manufacturing table tennis tables for over 80 years. It was precisely in the context of the global rise of table tennis, from the 1950s onwards, that Cornilleau industrialised its know-how to meet the growing enthusiasm of players. Today the European leader in outdoor table tennis tables, Cornilleau continues to write the history of table tennis across the world through its innovations and its 100% French manufacturing.
