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| James Naismith |
From a young age James Naismith was fascinated with athleticism and sports. Despite how much he adored sports, there was no way to predict the amazing addition he would have to the sports industry.
When Dr. Naismith moved to America to start a new career at the YMCA International Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts, he was tasked with creating a new indoor activity that would subdue the rowdy lacrosse and Football boys during the long and cold winter months. He at first did not accept the task, but once an unexpected blizzard caused a snow in, Dr. Naismith quickly created a simple game in the span of two weeks. The game could be performed with 18 students, two peach baskets, two 10ft boards, and a soccer ball. Thus, basketball was born! He recounts that first game in a rare radio interview in 1939 and expresses how he never expected it to take off the way it did.
Dr. Naismith remembers the idea arising from something he unconsciously collected from childhood. The game was called Duck on a Rock, and while crafting his new indoor game he frequently referred back to this childhood game. However, later on he recounts that the game of basketball most likely was the unconscious fusing of English and American Rugby, Football and the childhood game, but he was not aware of this till later in life. This realization was his moment of consciousness in which his unconscious collecting of sports rules came together as one.
"It goes to show what you can do if you have to"
- Dr. James Naismith
It is thought that Dr. Naismith was influenced by an intrinsic love for sports and an extrinsic need for the boys of the school to have some way to release their energy. Thus, making a prime environment for creation on Dr. Naismith's part. He also, had the intellectual skills, seeing as him being a professor, and has spent at least 10,000 hours in his field prior to the creation. Finally, he had a good personality for creation- meaning he was willing to overcome the obstacle and take a risk. Thus, he fulfills the investment theory of creativity, which I believe is why his new game was so successful.
After his game took off, Dr. Naismith went back to school to get his medical degree, and then taught at University of Kansas, where he coached one of the first colligate basketball teams. The first professional games would not be played until the 1920's, which he attended. Two years after his death his book "Basketball-It's Origins and Developments" would be published.
I believe this paradigm shift guarantees Dr. Naismith's position as a big C creative in the world of sports. He was a brilliant man, and any basketball supporter can thank him and his creative mind for the wonderful game we still enjoy to this day.
Woah this is so neat. I think sports are one of the things I take for granted without stopping to think about the fact that someone had to come up with them. I never would've guessed this is the way it got started. I also really love the way you've pointed out the contributions collecting and the unconscious played in this. Very interesting!
ReplyDeleteJust like Abi said, it's really cool how this creative is such a perfect example of the unconscious! It's crazy how such a "perfect storm" mix of different games could be made completely sans consciously thinking of that perfect formula. It's also great that you pointed out part of basketball's success is attributed to Naismith's fulfillment of the investment theory of creativity. Great basketball backstory!!
ReplyDeleteI really like how you pointed out how Naismith was the type of person who harkened back to his childhood game to make the idea of basketball a reality; it goes to show that creatives tend to use their unconscious and their prior history in order to create something brand new. Furthermore, his inventive blending of the various games alongside his patience showcased how he was the type of creative who sought to make something perfect with the power of dedication and committed intellect. He is a good example of someone using their unconscious to make good things happen with a dedicated work ethic and intelligent thinking.
ReplyDeleteThis article was so interesting! I have never really stopped to think about the origins of different sports before, so reading about the origins of basketball was super neat. I think that it's super interesting that Naismith's idea for the game came mainly through his unconscious process. I 110% agree that Naismith is a Big C creative, t's hard to imagine a world without basketball in it today. It's crazy to think that this was just something that he came up with on a whim to entertain some rowdy kids one winter!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading this article! I was previously aware of the origins behind the invention of basketball, meaning the peach baskets and wood backboards, but it was really interesting to read that these physical concepts were drawn from his unconscious mind. Furthermore, it is admirable that Naismith was able to recognize these contributing factors later in life. He draws upon the structure of a certain childhood board game and admits this sport was mainly a combination of rugby and football. I feel as though not many creative individuals recognize where their ideas formed from, and I was enlightened and intrigued to hear about his thought process and unique references back to his childhood and other outlets.
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