the next most important innovation was by james w. gibb, a british addict of the sport, who discovered novelty celluloid balls on a trip to the us in 1901 and found them to be ideal for the game. this was followed by e.c. goode who, in 1901, invented the modern version of the racket by fixing a sheet of rubber to the wooden blade. table tennis became more popular by 1901, to the extent that tournaments were being organised, books being written on the subject, and an unofficial world championship was held in 1902.