The history of table tennis (or ping-pong as it is also commonly known) is a long and interesting sequence of events, which would require a book to do it justice. This article provides a brief overview of the origins of the game, as well as what are generally acknowledged as many of the important highlights of the game's development.

There is often conflicting information available regarding the early days of table tennis and all differing opinions are presented here for completeness.

Early Origins of Table Tennis/Ping-Pong

12th Century AD: The game of table tennis probably descended from the the game of "Royal Tennis" (also known as Real Tennis or Court Tennis), which was played in the medieval era.

The game of table tennis probably descended from the the game of "Royal Tennis" (also known as Real Tennis or Court Tennis), which was played in the medieval era. 1880's: Some sources claim that the sport was once known as indoor tennis, and was played in the early 1880's by British army officers stationed in India and South Africa. These officers are supposed to have used cigar box lids as paddles, rounded wine bottle corks as balls, and books for an improvised net.

Some sources claim that the sport was once known as indoor tennis, and was played in the early 1880's by British army officers stationed in India and South Africa. These officers are supposed to have used cigar box lids as paddles, rounded wine bottle corks as balls, and books for an improvised net. 1880's: The game had become fashionable among the upper classes in England.

The game had become fashionable among the upper classes in England. 1887: According to the ITTF website, the first use of the name "Table Tennis" appeared on a board and dice game made by J.H.Singer of New York.

According to the ITTF website, the first use of the name "Table Tennis" appeared on a board and dice game made by J.H.Singer of New York. 1890: The earliest existing evidence of a table tennis game is a set made by David Foster, patented in England, which included table versions of Lawn Tennis, Cricket and Football.

The earliest existing evidence of a table tennis game is a set made by David Foster, patented in England, which included table versions of Lawn Tennis, Cricket and Football. 1891: John Jacques of London introduce their "Gossima" game, which used drum-type paddles, a 50mm web wrapped cork ball, and a 30cm high net.

John Jacques of London introduce their "Gossima" game, which used drum-type paddles, a 50mm web wrapped cork ball, and a 30cm high net. 1890's: By this time, several patents with basic rules had been registered.

By this time, several patents with basic rules had been registered. 1890's: Parker Brothers begin making an indoor tennis kit which included a portable net, a small ball covered in netting, and paddles.

Parker Brothers begin making an indoor tennis kit which included a portable net, a small ball covered in netting, and paddles. 1900: Englishman James Gibb is credited with bringing hollow celluloid balls back to England from the USA, although some other sources claim they were plastic balls. Previously most balls were solid rubber or cork, often covered in material. Some sources also credit Gibb with inventing the name "ping pong", which was supposed to have been derived from the sound of the ball bouncing off the drum battledores (paddles), each of which had a different sound.

Englishman James Gibb is credited with bringing hollow celluloid balls back to England from the USA, although some other sources claim they were plastic balls. Previously most balls were solid rubber or cork, often covered in material. Some sources also credit Gibb with inventing the name "ping pong", which was supposed to have been derived from the sound of the ball bouncing off the drum battledores (paddles), each of which had a different sound. 1901: John Jacques register "Ping Pong" as a trade name in England. The American rights to the name are sold to Parker Brothers.

John Jacques register "Ping Pong" as a trade name in England. The American rights to the name are sold to Parker Brothers. 1901: On the 12th December 1901, "The Table Tennis Association" is formed in England. Four days later, "The Ping Pong Association" is also formed in England.

On the 12th December 1901, "The Table Tennis Association" is formed in England. Four days later, "The Ping Pong Association" is also formed in England. 1901: Table tennis is first brought to China via western settlements.

Table tennis is first brought to China via western settlements. 1902: Englishman E.C.Goode is credited with putting pebbled rubber on his wooden blade, allowing him to put more spin on the ball. This is the forerunner of the ordinary pimpled rubber racket, which will dominate table tennis until 1952.

Englishman E.C.Goode is credited with putting pebbled rubber on his wooden blade, allowing him to put more spin on the ball. This is the forerunner of the ordinary pimpled rubber racket, which will dominate table tennis until 1952. 1903: On the 1st May 1903, "The Table Tennis Association" and "The Ping Pong Association" amalgamate, forming "The United Table Tennis and Ping Pong Association". This association will later revert its name to "The Table Tennis Association", before becoming defunct in 1904.

1920's-1950's: Classic Hard Bat Era / Europe Dominates the Sport

1920's: In the early 1920's the game began to revive in England and Europe.

In the early 1920's the game began to revive in England and Europe. 1922: "The Table Tennis Association" is reconstituted, with the name "English Table Tennis Association" being adopted in 1927.

"The Table Tennis Association" is reconstituted, with the name "English Table Tennis Association" being adopted in 1927. 1926: The International Table Tennis Federation is formed.

The International Table Tennis Federation is formed. 1926-1931: Maria Mednyanszky of Hungary wins the Women's Singles event at the World Championships five times in a row.

Maria Mednyanszky of Hungary wins the Women's Singles event at the World Championships five times in a row. 1930-1935 : Victor Barna of Hungary wins five of the six Men's Singles events at the World Championships (and was runner up in 1931).

Victor Barna of Hungary wins five of the six Men's Singles events at the World Championships (and was runner up in 1931). 1935: The American Ping Pong Association, US Amateur Table Tennis Association, and National Table Tennis Association merge to form the US Table Tennis Association (which was renamed USA Table Tennis in 1994).

The American Ping Pong Association, US Amateur Table Tennis Association, and National Table Tennis Association merge to form the US Table Tennis Association (which was renamed USA Table Tennis in 1994). 1936: Repainted tables (which made the playing surface very slow) and a high net (6¾ inches high) combine to make attacking play very difficult at the World Championships in Prague, Czechoslovakia. This results in the longest rally ever in a World Championships taking place, lasting over two hours.

Repainted tables (which made the playing surface very slow) and a high net (6¾ inches high) combine to make attacking play very difficult at the World Championships in Prague, Czechoslovakia. This results in the longest rally ever in a World Championships taking place, lasting over two hours. 1938: The ITTF lowers the net from 6¾ inches to 6 inches, and bans the fingerspin serves which had been used with devasting effect by American players.

The ITTF lowers the net from 6¾ inches to 6 inches, and bans the fingerspin serves which had been used with devasting effect by American players. 1940-1946: No World Championships held due to World War II.

No World Championships held due to World War II. 1950-1955: Angelica Rozeanu-Adelstein of Romania wins six Women's Singles titles in a row at the World Championships. Since her last title win in 1955, every World Champion in Women's Singles has been an Asian player.

1950's-1970's: Sponge Bat Era / Rise of Japan and China

1952: Hiroji Satoh of Japan becomes notorious for his use of a wooden racket covered in thick foam sponge rubber, which produces much more speed and spin than conventional pimpled rubber rackets. He wins the 1952 World Championships over Jozsef Koczian of Hungary, and begins a period of Asian male domination in the sport which will last until Sweden rises to supremacy from 1989 into the early 1990's.

Hiroji Satoh of Japan becomes notorious for his use of a wooden racket covered in thick foam sponge rubber, which produces much more speed and spin than conventional pimpled rubber rackets. He wins the 1952 World Championships over Jozsef Koczian of Hungary, and begins a period of Asian male domination in the sport which will last until Sweden rises to supremacy from 1989 into the early 1990's. 1957: The World Championships changes to a biennial event (once every two years), due to the logistics of hosting an event of such size, and difficulty in finding suitable venues.

The World Championships changes to a biennial event (once every two years), due to the logistics of hosting an event of such size, and difficulty in finding suitable venues. 1958: The first European Championships is conducted in Budapest, Hungary, and sees the USSR's debut in international table tennis.

The first European Championships is conducted in Budapest, Hungary, and sees the USSR's debut in international table tennis. 1959-1960: The ITTF standardizes the thickness of ordinary pimpled rubber and sponge rubber.

The ITTF standardizes the thickness of ordinary pimpled rubber and sponge rubber. 1960's: In the early 1960's, the loop drive was invented and become popular around the world.

In the early 1960's, the loop drive was invented and become popular around the world. 1960's: From around 1965 to 1971, China under the rule of Ma Tse-Tung disappears from world table tennis events.

From around 1965 to 1971, China under the rule of Ma Tse-Tung disappears from world table tennis events. 1961-1965: Zhuang Zedong of China wins 3 Men's Singles titles in a row at the World Championships, each time over compatriot Li Furong.

Zhuang Zedong of China wins 3 Men's Singles titles in a row at the World Championships, each time over compatriot Li Furong. 1960's: In the early 1960's, Xhang Xi Lin of China uses a "Yin-Yan" bat with normal rubber on one side, and long pimples on the other—the first recorded instance of successful combination bat play.

In the early 1960's, Xhang Xi Lin of China uses a "Yin-Yan" bat with normal rubber on one side, and long pimples on the other—the first recorded instance of successful combination bat play. 1971: China returns to International Competition at the 1971 World Championships.

China returns to International Competition at the 1971 World Championships. 1971: The US Table Tennis Team takes a "Ping-Pong Diplomacy" trip to China, in a world first effort to use sport to establish and improve diplomatic relations.

The US Table Tennis Team takes a "Ping-Pong Diplomacy" trip to China, in a world first effort to use sport to establish and improve diplomatic relations. 1971: Jean-Paul Weber of France uses the first anti-spin rubber in the World Championships in Nagoya, Japan, and enjoys some success with its use.

Jean-Paul Weber of France uses the first anti-spin rubber in the World Championships in Nagoya, Japan, and enjoys some success with its use. 1971: The first Commonwealth Championships are held in Singapore.

1970's-2000's: The Age of Speed Glue & Technology

1970's: Table tennis players discover that using bicycle tyre repair glue to put rubber on a blade dramatically increases the speed and spin that can be produced. This discovery is often credited to Dragutin Surbek of Yugoslavia, and Tibor Klampar of Hungary. This discovery is called speed glue.

Table tennis players discover that using bicycle tyre repair glue to put rubber on a blade dramatically increases the speed and spin that can be produced. This discovery is often credited to Dragutin Surbek of Yugoslavia, and Tibor Klampar of Hungary. This discovery is called speed glue. 1970's-1989: China is the dominant force in both men's and women's events on the world scene, winning multiple events at all world championships.

China is the dominant force in both men's and women's events on the world scene, winning multiple events at all world championships. 1980: John Hilton of England wins the European Championships using a combination bat of normal rubber and antispin, twiddling the racket and playing aggressively.

John Hilton of England wins the European Championships using a combination bat of normal rubber and antispin, twiddling the racket and playing aggressively. 1980: The first World Cup event is held in Hong Kong.

The first World Cup event is held in Hong Kong. 1982: The initial World Veteran's Championships is conducted in Gothenburg, Sweden.

The initial World Veteran's Championships is conducted in Gothenburg, Sweden. 1980's: In 1985, the two color rule is adopted to reduce the effectiveness of combination rackets.

In 1985, the two color rule is adopted to reduce the effectiveness of combination rackets. 1988: Table Tennis becomes an Olympic sport, in Seoul, South Korea.

Table Tennis becomes an Olympic sport, in Seoul, South Korea. 1989-1993: Sweden breaks the Chinese stranglehold in Men's World Championships, winning the 1989, 1991, and 1993 Teams Events, and producing the 1989 and 1991 World Men's Champions (Jan-Ove Waldner and Jorgen Persson respectively). China continues its dominance in female ranks.

Sweden breaks the Chinese stranglehold in Men's World Championships, winning the 1989, 1991, and 1993 Teams Events, and producing the 1989 and 1991 World Men's Champions (Jan-Ove Waldner and Jorgen Persson respectively). China continues its dominance in female ranks. 1995-present: China reasserts its control over the Mens Team and Mens Singles events at the World Championships.

China reasserts its control over the Mens Team and Mens Singles events at the World Championships. 1997: Jan-Ove Waldner wins the Mens Singles title at the World Championships for the second time, this time without the loss of a single game!

Jan-Ove Waldner wins the Mens Singles title at the World Championships for the second time, this time without the loss of a single game! 2000: A brief blip in the Chinese men's dominance occurs when the aging Swedish trio of Jan-Ove Waldner, Jorgen Persson and Peter Karlsson combine to steal the Mens Team title in a thrilling final.

A brief blip in the Chinese men's dominance occurs when the aging Swedish trio of Jan-Ove Waldner, Jorgen Persson and Peter Karlsson combine to steal the Mens Team title in a thrilling final. 2000: The ITTF increases increases the ball diameter to 40mm.

The ITTF increases increases the ball diameter to 40mm. 2001: The ITTF changes the scoring system, moving to 11 point games, and using a best of 5 games or best of 7 games match.

The ITTF changes the scoring system, moving to 11 point games, and using a best of 5 games or best of 7 games match. 2002: Table Tennis becomes a Commonwealth Games Sport, at Manchester, England.

Table Tennis becomes a Commonwealth Games Sport, at Manchester, England. 2003: Werner Schlager of Austria breaks the Chinese stranglehold on the Men's Singles World Championship title, saving several match points along the way against opponents in Wang Liqin and Kong Linghui. He meets Joo Se Hyuk of South Korea in the final - Joo is the first defensive player to make the Mens Singles final since the Eberhard Scholer of Germany in 1969 (Scholer also lost in his final, to Japan's Shigeo Itoh).

Werner Schlager of Austria breaks the Chinese stranglehold on the Men's Singles World Championship title, saving several match points along the way against opponents in Wang Liqin and Kong Linghui. He meets Joo Se Hyuk of South Korea in the final - Joo is the first defensive player to make the Mens Singles final since the Eberhard Scholer of Germany in 1969 (Scholer also lost in his final, to Japan's Shigeo Itoh). 2000's: In the early 2000's, frictionless long pimples become popular among many players, in an attempt to negate the the power and spin produced by modern technology and speed glue.

In the early 2000's, frictionless long pimples become popular among many players, in an attempt to negate the the power and spin produced by modern technology and speed glue. 2006: The intended banning of frictionless long pips and speed glues with toxic organic solvents is announced by the ITTF.

The intended banning of frictionless long pips and speed glues with toxic organic solvents is announced by the ITTF. 2007: The ITTF withdraws its approval of all table tennis glues, following a health incident involving a speed glue user in Japan.

The ITTF withdraws its approval of all table tennis glues, following a health incident involving a speed glue user in Japan. 2008: The use of speed glues with illegal VOCs is banned for all ITTF junior competitions as of January 1. Machines that test for illegal VOCs are introduced to check for rules infractions.

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