You might be aware of the history of pickleball, but have you ever wondered what was used as the first pickleball paddle?

Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the United States, but before getting started, it's necessary to understand what was used as the first pickleball paddle andwhere the sport came from. We'll go into the sport's history, how popular it is right now, how the paddle was invented, and how it got its well-known moniker.

The first compound pickleball paddle was designed by Arlen Paranto, Steve Paranto's father and Boeing Industrial Engineer. Arlen used the same nomex honeycomb and fiberglass panels for his structural system and flooring commercial aeroplanes.

Before selling the business to Frank Candelario, Arlen created one thousand paddles out of the honeycomb/fiberglass core and honeycomb/graphite core.The game was designed and adjusted with a standard ping pong paddle before Barney McCallum created the first wooden paddle.

Based on our extensive research, and of course, after speaking with many pickleball players and enthusiasts, we have crafted this guide to help you learn more about the history of pickleball paddles.

What Was Used as the First Pickleball Paddle?

The first wooden paddle was dubbed the ‘M1.’The M1 was immediately replaced by the ‘M2,’ which was both new and improved! The M2 was the forerunner of the typical pickleball paddle look and style that we see today.However, the problem was that they broke far too frequently. Pickleball paddles were not as robust as ping pong paddles.

History of Pickleball

A successful businessman, Bill Bell and Congressman Joel Pritchard came back home to Pritchard's home on Bainbridge Island after golfing one Saturday during the summer only to notice that their families were bored. Since the home featured an ancient badminton court, Bell and Pritchard looked for badminton equipment but were unable to locate a complete set of rackets.

Instead, they invented a new game by utilizing a punctured plastic ball and ping-pong paddles. At first, they started throwing the ball over the net, which was set according to the height of badminton’s net of about sixty inches. The players discovered that the ball rebounded well on the asphalt surface as the weekend proceeded, and the net was quickly lowered to thirty-six inches.

Barney McCallum, another family friend, was introduced to the game at Pritchard's house the next weekend. A while later, the three dads created rules based primarily on badminton. Their initial goal was to create a fame that could be played and enjoyed by the entire family.

Improvisation has always been a strong suit of human beings. Improvisation is most commonly practiced in today's world in the performing arts, such as comedy, theater, dance, and music. Similarly, pickleball's history can be traced back to humans' fundamental desire for personal entertainment.

Pickleball, like all amazing stories, began on a warm, sunny day. Joel Pritchard and Bill Bell began by going to an old badminton field in the hopes of playing. They improvised by using a spare wiffle ball and ping pong paddles because they couldn't find sufficient rackets for a full game. A brand-new game, known as pickleball, was born from the strewn-about bits and pieces.

There were few rules to their game at this stage, so Pritchard and Bell brought a new family friend called Barney McCullum the following weekend. Following that, the three fathers designed new regulations based on badminton, with the primary objective of family recreation and accessibility in mind. Joel Pritchard built the first permanent pickleball court in the backyard of his neighbor and close family friend Bob O'Brian two years later, in 1967. The choice to construct a dedicated and permanent court solidified their homegrown game as a fun activity.

Pickleball, Inc. was created in 1972 to assist interested players in purchasing equipment to play the game as it grew in popularity in the Pacific Northwest. This featured balls, netting, and paddles that were not adapted from other racquet sports but were expressly designed for pickleball. Not only did the establishment of this company assist individuals in obtaining the necessary pickleball equipment, but it also aided in the transition of pickleball from a local hobby to a legitimate sport.

Fast forward to today, and pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the United States, with international expansion gaining traction. The United States of America Pickleball Association now includes almost 4,000 sites where you can play pickleball across the country.

First Pickleball Paddles

Consider holding a pickleball paddle in your hands. The sensation of gripping it in your hands, the texture, the weight, it’s all there. However, a wooden paddle is probably not what you're imagining or feeling right now. Not to mention a ping pong paddle. But that is precisely where the pickleball paddle's history begins.

Yes. The initial pickleball paddle was actually a ping pong paddle that had been modified. But that didn't last long, since they kept breaking throughout the play. It was just a matter of time before a more long-lasting wooden paddle was created. This paddle is largely regarded as the first true pickleball paddle. It was a thicker, bigger ping pong paddle. Players were able to have more power and a longer-lasting paddle as a result of this.

The initial modern-day paddle was invented as the sport grew in popularity and more individuals began to participate. Arlen Paranto created a lighter-weight, yet still robust version using compound materials used in Boeing aero plane floor panels. The game was forever changed as a result of this. Composite pickleball paddles are now the standard across the board.

Companies have been trying with a variety of developments since then. One of the early explorations was Edge Guard. It's a feature that is offered on the paddles using EdgeProtect Technology, and it keeps the surface of your paddle intact for increased longevity. Another new innovation is surface. The paddles are made of fiberglass and graphite, allowing players subtle alternatives for varied amounts of power and control.

And then there is the paddle's core that is what lies beneath the surface. The core used to be constructed of the same material as the surfaces in the early days of pickleball. Many companies have developed paddles with a honeycomb polymer center. Polymer is a durable, light plastic-like substance with just the right amount of flex. In addition, the honeycomb shape keeps the paddle lightweight and balanced.

As you can see, the pickleball paddle has changed dramatically throughout the brief history of the sport. And it seems like the experts are excited to keep innovating in the world of pickleball by introducing newer and better paddles to the market.

How Was the Name ‘Pickleball’ Derived?

The term pickleball often makes people giggle when they first hear about the sport, especially because there are no pickles involved. However, there is some disagreement about where the name came from mainly because there are two accounts to choose from.

The name pickleball was invented by Joan Pritchard because the combination of sports inspired her of the pickle ship in staff, where oarsmen were chosen from the remnants of the other boats. Pickleball, on the other hand, is said to have been named after Pritchard's dog Pickles that would chase after the ball and run with it. Some assume Pickles was based on the game because he didn't become part of the family until a few years after it was created.

Nonetheless, pickleball, believe it or not, is more than 50 years old! That's true, the game has been around since 1965! It took a long time to spread over the United States, but it was done well. The history of pickleball is one of a kind.

More about the Game

Families from Washington State would come over to spend their summer weekends inBainbridge, Washington. The Belles,McCallums,Browns, and Pritchard Were four such families. The four families used to spend a great deal of time together, especially on Bainbridge Island.

When the weather wasn't cooperating for water activities and the kids were bored, their parents recommended they grab a paddle and a ball and head to the battered badminton court. The adults cobbled up a game out of some random paddles, a damaged badminton net, and a wiffle ball to engage and entertain the children.

It was entertaining for the kids, but it was even more entertaining for the grownups! They were ecstatic about their new game, so things moved swiftly. They started to keep score, made more comprehensive rules, and adjusted the form of the paddles and the height of the net.

Pickleball's Origins on Bainbridge Island and Beyond

Pickleball was able to "leap the rock," as the island was known, thanks to three key occurrences. The first was Joel Pritchard's community involvement. Using his political clout to get the word out about pickleball. He also began several of his fundraising and political events by playing a game of pickleball with the community!Joel's local status served as an excellent springboard for the game. The second event that helped to popularize the sport was Barney McCallum's home court in Seattle.

Having a court erected up in the center of the street allowed his neighbors and others to get a good view at the game! The game was able to expand beyond the island and into the broader Seattle metropolitan region as a result of these two events. The final event that had a significant impact on the game's growth was when a New York reporter highlighted the game in a news story!

This drew national attention to the sport and helped it to spread all the way to the east coast of the United States! Today, the expansion has spread beyond the continental United States and can be seen all over the world, including in China!

Pickleball's Origins - The Evolution of the First Pickleball Paddle

The initial pickleball paddle, according to popular perception, was NOT a wooden paddle like the one we mentioned earlier. In fact, the game was designed and adjusted with a standard ping pong paddle before Barney McCallum created the first wooden paddle!The problem was that they broke far too frequently. Pickleball paddles were not as robust as ping pong paddles.

As a result, Barney McCallum invented the very first timber pickleball paddle, called the "M1"! The "M2," which was both improved and new, and quickly supplanted the M1. The M2 was the predecessor of today's traditional pickleball paddle design and style.

As word spread about the game, demand for pickleball paddles began to flood in. The paddles were originally designed and manufactured by Barney McCallum. Since he couldn't keep up with the requests, Pickleball evolved from a delightful leisure family activity to a business.

Arlen Paranto took the concept a step further and constructed the first contemporary pickleball paddle out of composite materials found in Boeing jet floor panels! This was the first composite paddle in the game.

Soon after, everyone was playing and winning tournaments with their own version of composite pickleball paddles, and Ultra Light Paddle Co was founded. They are now known as Pro-Lite! It was the beginning of the advancement of paddle technology.Most players acquired the Pro-Lite Classic with an edge protector not long after the first composite paddle.

The Magnum was built after the Pro-Lite Classic. The Magnum improved on the original composite paddle's hitting surface by giving players a larger sweet spot and taking influence from tennis racquets!

Pickleball is currently experiencing a surge in popularity. The USA Pickleball Places-to-Play Now has approximately 8,500 venues. The popularity of the sport in retirement communities, YMCA facilities, PE programmes, and community centers is credited with its spread. Many new international clubs are establishing, and national regulating bodies are now created on multiple continents, indicating that the sport is growing globally.