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The history of technology in Basketball
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Invention of basketball
Basketball was first invented in 1891 by a Canadian physical education instructor named James Nemaith. His invention branched out from his home town in Springfield massachusetts. He created the game as a alternative to NFL, to prevent injury. The game consisted of peach baskets and a soccer style ball, the objective of the game was to throw the basketball into the fruit baskets nailed to the lower railing of the gym balcony. -
The backboard
In 1893, the backboard was introduced which stopped fans interfering with players shots and allowed rebounding to occur. They were made out of chicken wire, as well as the new baskets. It allowed players to rebound and bank shots. -
Inner backboard box
1 month after the invention of the backboard, they introduced a guide for players to aim at on the backboard to help increase shot makes -
The original basketball
1 year later they created a ball specifically designed for basketball. It was made of leather and held together by laces. It was 32 inches in circumference and provided more comfort and grip. -
The court
In some time in 1984 the court was played indoors, the free throw line was moved from 20 feet to 15 feet from the basket and was widened from 6 to 12 feet -
Bouncing the ball
Bouncing the ball was created to create a less contact game style so people won't tackle people to retrieve the ball, instead they poke it loose whilst the attacker is dribbling -
Scoreboards
The earliest mentions of a scoreboard in the New York Times was on November 11, 1894, in an account of Penn's 12-0 win over Princeton at the Trenton Fairgrounds. -
The first professional game
The first professional game was played in a YMCA in Brooklyn. The stadium could only hold about 80 people, but drew in a bigger crowd with people watching from outside the seating areas. -
Introduction of the metal rim and nets
The baskets were not an efficient scoring method as they would generally break during game and limit various shots from going in. As an alternative solution they added a metal rim and a net. The metal rim allowed for dunking and increased shot make as well as an efficient way of retrieving the ball after a make. The faster pace of the game meant that spectators would enjoy the game more as they don't have to wait for the ball to be retrieved every time someone makes a shot. -
Electric scoreboard
In 1908, Chicago inventor George A. Baird developed an electric baseball scoreboard that recorded balls, strikes, and outs. -
Glass Backboards
Glass backboards were introduced in 1909, the glass backboards were a better alternative to chicken wire and wood as they were less affected by ball impact. -
The first basketball shoes
Marquis Converse is the inventor of the first ever basketball made to help basketball players with their jumping ability and provide traction on the court. He had named the shoe the converse All-star. -
The shot clock
The shot clock was brought to basketball to stop teams from wasting time in games, this introduced faster games and allowed buzzer beaters. It allowed crowds to enjoy the games a whole lot more as the games were fast paced and more entertaining. -
NBA ball
The NBA adopted the first full-grain leather ball developed by spalding. The ball had a smaller circumference so it was easier to hold, they are comfortable in the player's hands and work well on indoor courts. -
Replay systems
Replay systems first started being used in the NBA in the 2002-03 season -
Stronger backboards
There were many instances where the glass boards shattered. The NBA created an alternative solution to this issue by creating a non shattering backboard
