Badminton was first known as Battledore and Shuttlecock and was played in Greece and Asia. The game became known as badminton when the Duke of Beaufort held games at his home in Gloucestershire in the 1850s. The name of his residence was the Badminton House.
Battledore And Shuttlecock
The game of battledore and shuttlecock was a simple one. In this game, two people hit a shuttlecock backward and forward with a simple bat as many times as possible before the shuttlecock hit the ground. The bat had a distinct handle and head similar to the racket's we use today. However, the head of the racket was solid and not a woven with string. The racket was one solid piece constructed entirely out of wood.
Wooden Rackets
The first badminton rackets that resemble those used today consisting of a solid frame and woven head were not dissimilar from the tennis rackets being used at the time. The frames were made out of wood and the string used in the head of the racket was made of animal by products. Handles were long and often left bare.
Metal Rackets
Eventually wooden rackets were replaced by metal versions. Steel was the initial metal of choice but other metals quickly became available as well. Aluminum rackets became quite popular as they were much lighter. This allowed athletes to move around the court with greater ease. It also reduced the level of fatigued cause by handling the earlier heavier versions. Handles now included gripping material to improve racket control and player comfort.
Composite Rackets
Most contemporary rackets are made out of composite or synthetic materials. The most popular of these materials is carbon fiber or graphite fiber. These versions of the badminton racket are considerably lighter than their predecessors. These rackets feature nylon or other specialized string materials and handles that are covered with grips that cater to individual athlete specifications.
Other Synthetic Materials
In addition to the frames, many other aspects of the contemporary racket are made out of synthetic materials that are often specifically designed for the badminton racket. Strings, grips, joints and grommets are made out of special materials.
Member Comments