Competition Ping Pong Table

Towards the end of the 19th century 2 Cambridge University students, during a break from their studies, developed the inklings of a game using cigar boxes as bats, and a ball carved out of a champagne bottle cork. It became popular among the students and came to the notice of John Jaques III, who developed the idea into a game using vellum faced bats and a celluloid ball. He introduced it as the new game of Gossima, as a fine after dinner activity, and soon after, in1900, to help promote the game, he changed the name to Ping Pong, from the sound made by the ball on the hollow vellum bats, and the very catchy name saw sales dramatically escalate. Officialdom later spawned the name Table Tennis to enhance the game’s status, derived from the new game of Lawn Tennis recently introduced at the Wimbledon Croquet Club. However it is still generally known as Ping Pong in many countries throughout the world. 100 years later Jaques are still at the leading edge of the game’s development, and most English and World Championships over the years have chosen Jaques Tournament tables and equipment. Jaques first Tournament Ping Pong Table were made in 2 halves with folding legs, and nearly all tables continued in this style until the mid 20th century. Jaques Club Tournament model continues this tradition, superbly constructed in this famous design for nearly 100 years. Major advances during this time include a Jaques unique superfast paint finish, not matched elsewhere, and robust solid wood legs which lock back onto the surround for absolute stability. The Competition Ping Pong Tables are constructed in our Edenbridge cabinet shop with real mortised joints which give extra strength to the whole table. A more recent development is the spring lock strut hinges, which lock the struts into position, again a unique feature not available elsewhere. Another first, pioneered by the Company, is the concealed wheels fitted to the joining edges of each half, which allow easy movement of each table half into its upright storage position. The Championship net and posts set, an excellent Jaques design with a simple wheel adjustment for the net height and tension, is included with the table. Nearly all the National Associations have used this table for their Championships over the years. There is none finer. It is simply the best there is. It is supplied complete with bats and balls, ready for immediate play. Remember, the invention of Ping Pong and Table Tennis is probably Jaques most famous achievement.