According to historical records, the invention and early development of table tennis can be traced back to England during the last quarter of the 19th century. The game likely began as a social diversion, played with improvised equipment. Table tennis evolved from the ancient game of Tennis, which was also known as Jeu de Paume, Real tennis, Court Tennis, or Royal Tennis. It shares its origins with Badminton and Lawn Tennis, adapting from the concept of playing tennis on a table.

The earliest surviving action game of tennis on a table is attributed to David Foster, who patented a set of table games in England in 1890. This set included table versions of Lawn Tennis, Cricket, and Football. The Lawn Tennis game within this set featured strung rackets, a cloth-covered rubber ball, a wooden fence around the table's perimeter, and large side nets along both sides.

Additionally, a patent by Ralph Slazenger in 1883 described improved nets for games, including a possible modification for a game to be played indoors on a billiard or dining table. This patent could be one of the earliest references to a table version of tennis, though no evidence of such a game's development has been found.

James Devonshire, an individual credited with inventing Table Tennis, applied for a patent in October 1885 for his "Table Tennis." However, there is no conclusive evidence or advertisement found for Devonshire's game, and it's likely that it was never put into production.

The game gained popularity and underwent several developments over the years, eventually leading to the introduction of the celluloid ball around 1900, which significantly improved the game's playability. The distinct sound of the celluloid ball bouncing off the drum rackets led to the adoption of the name "Ping Pong," which caught on quickly and became synonymous with the sport. The game was marketed under various names, including Ping Pong, Gossima, Table Tennis, and others, with Ping Pong ultimately becoming widely recognized.

In summary, while the specific individual who "invented" table tennis remains uncertain, the game's origins can be traced to England in the late 19th century, with contributions from various individuals and developments in equipment and gameplay leading to the sport we know today.

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