How Gossima became Ping Pong and Table Tennis

Ping Pong from Gossima

How one man created and begun the most popular sport in the world

It may come as no surprise to learn that the one indoor game, which the athletic JJ  III (John Jaques the third)  spearheaded, was an active one: Ping-Pong (or "Table Tennis" as it later become known in the UK and Europe).

John Jaques had originally marketed this new game under the name of Gossima, presumably because of the feather light ping pong ball.

Initially Gossima attracted little or no attention.

JJ III saw Gossimas vast and delightful possibilities. He rechristened Gossima "Ping-Pong" and the resulting success of the game was amazing.

John Jaques  (JJ) III's instinct was correct: its success was spectacular and Ping-Pong became another of his brilliantly successful innovative offerings. In 1902-3 the Ping Pong game swept the country with our Table tennis Game Sets being the most popular game made by Jaques  - overtaking even our superb croquet sets. But when its more passionate players developed it into a championship game, they apparently chafed against its somewhat frivolous trademark.

Although the game was later renamed "Table Tennis" in many countries throughout the world, "Ping-Pong" is still used colloquially in the UK and throughout the rest of the world, including the USA and China where it is their national sport.

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