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.
r 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.