In the early 1800, a game originated in Victorian England. That game was further developed by the British military officers in India from around 1860 to 1870. They would spread a table and arrange a row of books at its center. The books would then form a high horizontal heap at the center of the table to the edge of its side. Two more books would be used as well, the two books would be used as a racket by two opposition players. They would both continuously hit a golf ball until it bounces across one side of the table.
In the subsequent years, the game that was first known as ping pong developed and advanced. It would later be called table tennis. It wasn’t until 1901 that E.C. Goode invented the modern version of the racket or paddle. He did this by first carving a compactable wooden blade. Then he attaches a sheet of stippled or pimpled rubber to it. Behold, the first modern table tennis paddle was formed.
The modern-day table tennis paddle or racket is often made from laminated wood. The wood is made into a finely tuned oval board shape with a handle. The wood is then covered with rubber on the two sides.
The two sides of the paddle can be made of different rubber depending on the player’s preference. A player may have spin-reducing rubber on one side and spin-heavy rubber on the other side. Two colors usually red and black is used to help the players distinguish between the different types of spin. The rubber coating may be of a sponge layer or a pimpled rubber.
The term “Paddle” is generally adopted in the United State. Asians and Europeans use the term “Bat” when describing the tool. However, the official ITTF uses Paddle.
Parts Of A Table Tennis Paddle
Three major components make up the Table Tennis Paddle. They are Blade, Rubber, and Glue.
Blade
The blade represents the entire paddle without any attachment to it. The blade can be made from a few materials. Wood is the major component and Carbon fiber can also be used. These materials are carefully layered together to form a perfect piece of equipment. The blade of the paddle can determine both the speed and control of the paddle.
Rubber
The rubber as we know it makes up the sides of the paddle. It is attached to the flat surface of the wooden blade. The rubber can be of different materials but it has to be endorsed by the ITTF. These varieties of rubbers are selected based on their characteristics. The differences can affect the speed, control, and spin of the ball. The different rubbers are marked by the distinct red and black color of the paddle. The rubber can be tailored to suit the playing style of a player.
Glue
The glue that holds the rubber to the blade is very vital. It deserves recognition as a major part of the paddle. The glue helps provide a consistent surface for striking the ball. It also protects the equipment from frequent rubber changing. There are rules in place to prevent the use of harmful volatile compounds. It is always advisable to use glue that has been approved by the National and International Organizations.
