Case Study

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Trip to USA

Final Report- History of air hockey

History of air hockey

            Air hockey is a game that involves two players who compete by scoring points on the opponent’s goal and usually takes place on a surface of low friction. The playing surface used nowadays is a table that has perimeter rails to avoid mallets held by players as well as the puck from leaving the playing area (D'Agostino, 2014). The puck is a disc made of rubber that servers purpose of balls in other games. The puck is hit using handheld mallets towards the direction of the opponent. There are slots on rails at two ends of the table which serve as goals through which scores are made. There are puck returns at both ends of hockey table and tiny holes to provide air cushion that reduce friction on the table. Low friction enables the game to be played fast since the puck moves at increased speed. The equipment put in use are made in special ways like the case in other games and there are rules for playing. The hockey table is the most important equipment due to complexity in providing low friction playing surface. Tables, mallets and pucks used in USA are passed by the Association for air table hockey.

            The game is fascinating and widely enjoyed in USA although faced challenges as it was being established. The idea of air hockey was invented by a group of employees at Brunswick Company that was well known manufacturer of pool tables. The engineers namely Bob Kenrick, Brad Baldwin, and Phil Crossman aimed at designing friction-less table for games mainly for commercial purposes. However, there was no game that required these tables and therefore the design was left unused. The air hockey game was conceptualized in 1972 by Bob Lemieux who was a die-hard fan for hockey and still worked at Brunswick. Lemieux idealized the game using two mallets that could hit flattened disks into holes made on two ends of the table that had been designed by colleagues. The disks were kept moving by the air cushion and this compared to the effect of puck in ice used in hockey. Lemieux then developed detectors that could record goals scored at the holes. It was at this point the original air hockey came to existence and patents referenced Lenieux and Kenrick as well as Crossman as inventers of the game.

            The air hockey game was introduced to the world and became so interesting attracting many people especially at the carnivals as well as in game rooms in colleges. The game was seen as carnival attraction creating public image that displeased Brunswick. The company went out to legitimize the sport to make it a serious game. Brunswick organized for the first world championship of the game in 1974 that was held in New York City at a Holiday Inn (Swedberg, 2013). It was attended by thirty one champions from the region competing for 5000 dollars offered by Brunswick as prize to the winner. Further efforts to legitimize the sport were made by holding play by play announcement and a legendary sports announcer, Marv Albert, was invited (Dazadi.com, 2009). This event was also attended by Derek Sanderson, a NHL star, who gave the sport link to ice hockey that was famous in USA. This event was a success and the sport gained popularity that expanded in during 1970s.

            The sport was promoted by formation of United States Air-Table Hockey Association (USAA) in 1975 by Phillip Arnold who was a devoted player (Swedberg, 2013). This body was formed to bring uniformity in rules as well as implement regulations of the game. Since its formation, USAA is the governing body and authority in charge of the air hockey up to present. USAA has held United States championship as well as world championship annually since it was formed. Despite the growth in 1970s, the sport faced hardships in 1980s and almost came to death. This was mainly due to introduction of computer technology that led to game arcades. People were attracted to computer games and air hockey lost fans.

            Fortunately, the sport was revived by a fan, Mark Robbins, who saw magazine that asked people to give old air hockey tables as donations. He was afraid that manufacturing of the tables would stop. He collected tables from all over USA and remodeled them according to original design of Brunswick (Swedberg, 2013). He also persuaded the only remaining manufacturer, U.S Billiards, to make high quality tables using original design. Robbins also persuaded Dynamo Corporation that made foosball table into making quality air table that could be used in tournaments. Though Dynamo made little sales in early stages, demand increased over years and by 1993 when Robbins stopped his efforts thousands of tables were being sold. Since then air hockey has become well enjoyed sport just like others in the world (D'Agostino, 2014). More rules and regulations of playing the sport in the present have been introduced and are determined by the USAA. Competitive tournaments are played worldwide and there are professionals especially in USA and Europe. 

References

D'Agostino, N. (2014). The History of the Air Hockey Game. Retrieved 30 May 2014, from: http://ezinearticles.com/?The-History-Of-The-Air-Hockey-Game&id=5850593

Dazadi.com (2009). Air Hockey History. Retrieved 30 May 2014, from: http://www.dazadi.com/blog/air-hockey-history/

Swedberg, M. (2013). The History of Air Hockey. Retrieved 30 May 2014, from: http://blog.summitolympus.com/the-history-of-air-hockey/

 

Ronaldo Luis

Ronaldo Luis

          Ronaldo Luis was one of the best Brazilian football players in the world. He was born on 18 September 1976 in Brazil. He was described as the greatest pure striker in history. Ronaldo won Ballon D’or three times. Also, he was the greatest footballer (countryman Pele) and player of the decade in 2010. He played for Corinthians as the last club. On the other hand, he played 98 International matches and scored 62 goals. Brazil won the world cup twice while he was playing in 1994 and 2002. Finally, he retired on 14 Feb 2011 when he became 35 years old.