The phenomenal feats of today’s
giants of basketball, like Michael Jordan or Magic Johnson, would have amazed Dr. James
Naismith, the modest Canadian who invented the game 110 years ago when he hung a peach
basket on a gym wall. The centenary of Naismith’s invention was commemorated by a
postage stamp, and a special souvenir sheet, both issued on October 25, 1991. Born near
Almonte, Ontario, Naismith graduated from McGill University and the Presbyterian
Theological College. In 1891, while teaching Psychology, Bible Study and Physical
Education in Springfield, Massachusetts, he discovered the need to keep his unruly gym
class occupied during the winter. After some unsuccessful attempts to modify soccer,
football and lacrosse for indoor play, Naismith systematically thought out the elements
for his new game: a large ball; no tackling or running; and an elevated goal - the peach
basket. The first game was played on December 21, 1891.
Michael Jordan or Magic Johnson, would have amazed Dr. James
Naismith, the modest Canadian who invented the game 110 years ago when he hung a peach
basket on a gym wall. The centenary of Naismith’s invention was commemorated by a
postage stamp, and a special souvenir sheet, both issued on October 25, 1991. Born near
Almonte, Ontario, Naismith graduated from McGill University and the Presbyterian
Theological College. In 1891, while teaching Psychology, Bible Study and Physical
Education in Springfield, Massachusetts, he discovered the need to keep his unruly gym
class occupied during the winter. After some unsuccessful attempts to modify soccer,
football and lacrosse for indoor play, Naismith systematically thought out the elements
for his new game: a large ball; no tackling or running; and an elevated goal - the peach
basket. The first game was played on December 21, 1891.