Inventing paddle tennis: an Edgemont story of innovation and friendship
How two neighbors created a sport that people love to this day.
Net gains Fessenden Blanchard (right) and Earle Gatchell playing paddle tennis in 1930 on the first court built on James Cogswell’s property.
By MARIA E. TENA
In autumn 1928, two Edgemont neighbors, Fessenden (Fess) Blanchard of 4 Seely Place and James (Jimmy) Cogswell Jr. of 105 Old Army Road, came together to create a new winter sport in their own backyards. As passionate sportsmen and innovators, their collaboration gave birth to a unique game that would eventually become platform (paddle) tennis, transforming a simple idea into a national sport.
Blanchard and Cogswell's quest for a local outdoor activity began with a creative solution: a multipurpose wooden platform on Cogswell’s property. The small strip of land, bounded by rock and steep terrain, dictated the size and layout of their court. Measuring 48 feet long and 20 feet wide, the platform was initially designed for badminton, deck tennis, or volleyball. However, the constraints of the land soon proved that some sports were impractical. Volleyball was eliminated first due to the size limitations, and badminton followed, as the open spot was too exposed to the elements. Despite these setbacks, the neighbors’ ingenuity and perseverance turned what could have been a failed experiment into a success.
They focused on deck tennis, but this didn’t quite work out. Determined to make the most of their unique space, Blanchard and Cogswell began experimenting, blending elements of existing racquet sports with their specific platform’s characteristics. The game they developed involved shorter racquets, a depressurized tennis ball, and underhand serves, with rules adapted to the smaller court size. As they played, they refined the rules and setup, eventually crafting a sport that was as challenging as it was accessible. This innovation, influenced by the limitations of their land and the cold winters of New York, would lay the foundation for modern platform tennis.
Fessenden Blanchard: The visionary behind the game
A co-founder of platform tennis, “Fess” Blanchard was also a driving force behind the sport's growth. He co-founded the American Platform Tennis Association (APTA) and served as its first president from 1934 to 1938. His love for the game knew no bounds; he tirelessly promoted it, acting as secretary, chief correspondent, and publicist for the APTA during his tenure on the board. He also authored two seminal books on the sport: Paddle Tennis (1944) and Platform Paddle Tennis (1959).
Blanchard's life before paddle tennis was also remarkable. He grew up in Hingham, MA, and graduated from Harvard in 1910. By 1913, he had joined the Boston office of Pacific Mills, a leading textile company. At 30, he married Mary Bryant and they had three daughters: Martha, Ruth, and Molly. In 1927 he moved his family to 4 Seely Place, the house where I write this article. It was here that he met James Cogswell and formed the friendship that would prove pivotal to the sport.
Blanchard’s role in developing the game went beyond playing and promoting it. He and Cogswell complemented each other perfectly; Blanchard was the enthusiast and spokesperson, while Cogswell, with his engineering background, focused on refining the court’s construction. Their friendship extended to the close-knit community that grew around their sport. The group of friends who gathered around that first court became affectionately known as the “Old Army Athletes.”
What a raquet Mary Blanchard and Earle Gatchell on the original Cogswell court.
A new platform for growth
In 1928, five of these friends, who were also members of the Fox Meadow Tennis Club, championed the installation of a platform court to take advantage of the growing popularity of this new sport. Unlike traditional tennis, platform tennis promised to keep the club active year-round. Despite initial resistance from conservative tennis players (sound familiar, pickleballers?) concerned about funding during the Great Depression, the proposal was accepted when the Old Army Athletes suggested a dual-use court that could also serve as a practice area.
By April 15, 1931, Fox Meadow became the first club to install a platform tennis court. Paddle tennis proved to be such a popular offering that a second court was built by 1934. Not only did the club’s membership increase, but so many wanted people to join that a waiting list was drawn up.
Blanchard passed away in 1963, two days after his 75th birthday, while attending a Harvard-Princeton football game in Cambridge, MA. His life, both on and off the court, was marked by a love for sport and community that continues to inspire us.
A lasting legacy
Today, platform tennis is played across the United States, its origins deeply rooted in the collaboration and creativity of two Edgemont neighbors. The story of Fessenden Blanchard and Jimmy Cogswell is a testament to the power of our community. So, the next time you spot a platform tennis match, remember its humble beginnings on a small strip of land in Scarsdale, where two neighbors turned a problem into a passion and, ultimately, a sport loved by many. Fess and Jimmy would be pleased to know that the two families living in their homes are close friends today, collaborating on this article to celebrate this invention.
Maria Tena, originally from Spain, has lived in England, New York City, Bronxville, and Berlin. Since 2022, she has called Edgemont home, along with her husband and two daughters. She manages a team at a marketing technology firm, and in her free time, Maria enjoys scuba diving trips, playing pickleball and basketball, and catching up on her favorite TV shows and MotoGP races.
