Tennis Racket Periods and Generations

• Period 1, Formative Years, 1860s-1880s (Incunabula Rackets) [SET 1]
  • 1st Generation, Lacross Style Rackets, 1860s
  • 2nd Generation, Balloon Head, Sheepskin Grips, 1870s
  • 3rd Generation, Lopsided Head, 1870s-1880s
  • 4th Generation, Flat-Top Triangular Head, 1870s-1880s
• Period 2, Early Years, 1880s-1920s (Antique Rackets) [SET 2]
  • 1st Generation, Transitional Heads, Solid (Intrusive) Wedges, 1880s-1920s
  • 2nd Generation, Transitional Heads, Laminated (Intrusive) Wedges, 1900s-1920s
  • 3rd Generation, Transitional Heads, Concave (Extrusive) Wedges, 1900s-1920s
  • 4th Generation, Transitional Heads, Shoulder Wrappings & Coverings, 1910s-1920s
• Period 3, Golden Years, 1920s-1940s (Vintage Rackets) [SET 2]
  • 1st Generation, Plied (Multiple Pieces of Wood) Frames, 1920-1930s
  • 2nd Generation, Aerodynamic & Power Variations, 1920s-1930s
  • 3rd Generation, Structural Reinforcements, Facing, Shoulders, Throats, 1930s-1980s
  • 4th Generation, Smaller Handles/Grips, Leather Grips, 1930s-1980s
• Period 4, Middle Years, 1940s-1960s (Traditional Rackets) [SET 3]
  • 1st Generation, Enhanced, Painted Decorations, 1940s-1980s
  • 2nd Generation, Laminated (Many Very Thin Strips of Wood) Frames, 1940s-1980s
  • 3rd Generation, New Woods, Further Experimentation, 1940s-1980s
  • 4th Generation, Fiber (Not fiberglass) Throat Overlays, Production Refinements, 1940s-1970s
• Period 5, Last Years, 1960s-1980s (Modern Rackets) [SET 3]
  • 1st Generation, Rackets as Commodities, 1960s-1980s
  • 2nd Generation, Rackets as Classics, 1960s-1980s
  • 3rd Generation, Composite Materials, Conventional Frames, 1960s-1980s
  • 4th Generation, Composite Materials, Transitional Frames/Heads, 1970s-1980s