Table Tennis Paddles

Table tennis paddles have come a long way since their humble beginnings in Victorian England. Today you can buy paddles that are masterpieces of technology. Paddles are also known as bats or rackets - or, in my case, "ball missers"!

History

Originally table tennis was an informal game played with improvised equipment. This would depend on where the game was being played - so for example the top of a cigar box or a book might be pressed into service.

The first specific table tennis paddles appeared as the game increased in popularity and was sold as a boxed set available to buy in the stores. These early paddles usually consisted of a wooden frame in which was mounted a sheet of parchment or vellum.

Such vellum paddles were obviously prone to damage and before long the more expensive but more durable wooden blade was introduced. The idea of adding a rubber surface to the blade to allow more ball control and spin is credited to E.C.Goode in 1902. This basic paddle design dominated the game until the 1950s.

The next major innovation was the multiple layered paddle - a sponge layer being sandwiched between the wood and the rubber surface. In 1952 Hiroji Satoh won the World Championships using such a paddle. Over the years this foam layer has been steadily enhanced leading to an ever faster game.

The 1960s saw the introduction of the combination bat. This has different layers on each side, designed for different types of shot. In 1985 the "two colour rule" was introduced saying that such combination bats had two have sides of different colours. This makes it easier for both opponent and spectators to see what is going on!

In the 1970s the game became faster still. A player used discovered the principle of speed glue by accident when fixing his paddle with a bicycle repair kit. Speed glue increases the "bounce" of the rubber and is today in common use. Although it increases the speed of the ball the downside is that it can make ball control and accuracy more difficult to achieve.

Today there are a huge range of paddles available to buy.The casual player might simply want a premade variety with the rubbers already in place. More serious players are likely to opt for buying the blade and rubbers separately.

If you're spending a good sum on the paddle, don't forget to buy a cover to keep it safe!