Dr. James Naismith invented basketball in 1891 at a YMCA in Springfield, Mass. Though the game was somewhat unrecognizable by today's standards, he formulated 13 basic rules governing play that would lay the groundwork for changes that would occur in years to come. The use of a glass backboard is one of the more important changes to the game.
Early Basketball
The game that James Naismith had originally conceived of was an extemporaneous creation that used peach baskets --- essentially, 18-inch square boxes hung from the balconies of the running track at the YMCA --- and a soccer ball. Backboards were completely absent, and the basket height was established at 10 feet, which still stands today. Only in 1895 did the first backboard finally appear.
The First Backboards
Players initially began to use wire mesh backboards to prevent spectators in the balconies from interfering with play on the court. Wood replaced the easily dented wire mesh backboards in 1904, and leagues finally began approving the usage of plate glass backboards in 1909. However, backboards evolved beyond their initial conception and immediately gave a strategic boon to the game once players attempted to utilize them to bank in lay-ups and direct shots. The glass material is optimal for basketball because it provides plenty of bounce and rebound for the ball. There is a careful balance between the compression of the outer surface and the tension of the inner surface. Glass will not bend or dent and remains smooth even after long protracted use.
Evolution of the Backboard
At the beginning of the 20th century, the backboards were still mounted firmly against the wall, but in 1916 the league moved the entire basket 2 feet from the end-line to prevent players from running up the wall for easy lay-ups. The glass backboard was then attached to a pole and fixed to the ground. This also allowed more room for rebounds and shots under the basket.
Modern Backboards
A modern professional-style basketball backboard is 42 by 72 inches, offering the maximum rebound area, and reinforced with heavy aluminum. This gives the hoop extra stability and welded corners for additional security. It is strong enough to withstand 230 lbs. of pressure. However, glass backboards are still prone to damage. This occurs when the delicate balance between the inner and outer surfaces is upset and the stored energy is released. Chuck Connors, playing for the Boston Celtics, became the first player to shatter a glass backboard in a pregame warm-up on Nov. 5, 1946. Unlike later players who shattered the backboard such as Michael Jordan and Shaquille O'Neal, Connors did not dunk the ball. Instead, the backboard was missing a piece of rubber between the glass and rim. When Connors put up a harmless jump shot, the glass immediately shattered.
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