Badminton has been a popular sport for many centuries and its origins can be traced back to the game of battledore and shuttlecock which was played in ancient Greece and China. The modern game of badminton we know today is largely attributed to the British who started playing it in the 19th century. Over the years, the game has evolved and many pieces of equipment have been developed to make playing it more enjoyable. In this article, we will look at what the first equipment used in badminton was, as well as some of the more modern pieces of equipment used today.
History of Badminton
Badminton originated from the ancient game of battledore and shuttlecock which was played in Greece and China in the 16th century. This game consisted of two players hitting a feathered shuttlecock back and forth with the aim of keeping it in the air for as long as possible. The British adapted the game in the 19th century and started playing it in a similar way to tennis, with a net in the middle and a heighted net at the sides. This version of the game was known as Poona and was popularised by British army officers stationed in India (hence the name).
The First Equipment Used
The first equipment used in badminton was the shuttlecock, which was a cork base with feathers attached. The cork was used as the base to give the shuttlecock its weight and the feathers were used to create the aerodynamic shape and to slow the descent of the shuttlecock. In addition to the shuttlecock, the first equipment used in badminton was a battledore, which was a simple wooden paddle used to hit the shuttlecock. This was the only equipment needed for the game of battledore and shuttlecock which was played until the 19th century.
Modern Badminton Equipment
Since the 19th century, many pieces of equipment have been developed for badminton. The most important of these is the racket, which is now made from lightweight materials such as metal, titanium, graphite and carbon fibre. The strings used in the racket are also important and are either synthetic or natural gut. The strings are what give the shuttlecock the spin and lift needed to keep it in the air and make it easier to hit.
The shuttlecock is still the same as it was in the 16th century, however modern shuttlecocks are made with synthetic materials such as plastic and nylon. This makes them more durable and less susceptible to damage. The size of the shuttlecock has also changed over the years, with a standard size being used today.
Other pieces of equipment used in badminton include a net, which is placed in the middle of the court and is usually made of nylon, and a badminton court which is usually a rectangle with a length of 44ft and a width of 17ft.
Conclusion
Badminton has come a long way since its origins in the 16th century. The first equipment used in the game was the shuttlecock and the battledore, and these are still used today. However, many modern pieces of equipment have been developed over the years such as the racket, net, shuttlecock and court. All these pieces of equipment are essential for playing the game and make it even more enjoyable.