Cork paddles came before rubber revolutionized table tennis
Early table tennis paddles relied on cork for grip and spin, until rubber coverings dramatically boosted speed and control in the early 20th century, transforming the sport.
Before rubber, table tennis paddles used cork! When the game emerged in the 1880s, simple wooden bats offered little control. By the early 1900s, players attached cork to improve grip and add spin, making early matches more engaging.
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