
1947 The beginning
Subbuteo was invented by Peter Adolph. Its name comes from its creator’s love of falconry. There is a falcon called the hobby (Falco subbuteo).
The first game dates back to 1947 and consisted of a small cardboard box with a brown label on the lid that had a list of contents. These contents were: two cardboard sheets with the players printed on them, 20 small plastic bases for the field players and two rectangular bases for the goalies with metal rods for controlling them; two goals made of metal wire; and a stick of chalk for marking the pitch (which was not included in the box), which was a cloth sheet that could be found in practically every home by the end of the Second World War.
The 1949-1950 edition
In this edition, the players were no longer printed on cardboard due to difficulties in cutting them out.
These new figures were made of celluloid plastic (cellulose acetate).
The first accessories began to be created, such as a metal device for holding the goal in place, a material to make the ball stick to the net, flags, etc.
The “Table Soccer Players Association” appeared during this period.
Subbuteo in the 1950s.
In 1953, 3 versions of the game were designed, each with a different retail price.
Popular Assembly Set.
Combination Set (plastic players).
Super Set (pitch, assembled players and accessories all inside a beautiful box).
The variety of accessories continued to grow and a miniature referee’s whistle, game clock, scoreboard, etc. appeared.