Air Hockey Fun Facts (and Where to Play in Bloomington, IL)
Any legitimate game room or arcade has to have the iconic air hockey table. For decades, gamers give their eyes a break from video games and enjoy some competitive fun slapping the puck down the table with their friends.
So of course we have air hockey at House of Games. It’s one of the many ways to relax and unwind with family and friends here, along with arcade games, classic video games, and other gamer favorites. (Book this popular vacation rental in Bloomington, IL now!)
Air hocky has been around for about 50 years…do you know its history? Here are a few fun facts you bank with your gaming trivia.
Related: 3 Suprising Benefits of Video Gaming
1. How Air Hockey Was Invented
Air hockey was patented in 1969 by three engineers at Brunswick Billiards. They combined a billiards-style table with conveyor technology that used air to lessen friction for moving boxes. This technology had developed until it consisted of a fiberboard or plexiglass surface drilled with small holes that let air through.
It was the perfect combination of ideas. A plastic puck slid across the air like it would on ice. Former NHL player Bob Lemieux helped popularize the game in the 1970s by promoting it as a “hockey” game, and the rest is history. It was distributed to pizza parlors, community centers, and later arcades.
Related: The Forgotten Greatness of Air Hockey (The New Yorker)
2. How an Air Hockey Table Works
An air hockey table uses relatively simple technology. A plastic surface has small holes drilled in it evenly. Underneath the surface is a fan that blows air. When the fan is running, there is enough air pressure to lift a light disc just above the surface. When players hit the disc with a paddle, it can glide easily across the table because there is no friction to slow it down.
This creates a fast-paced game in which plastic “pucks” can fly around the table (and pinch a few fingers). A solidly smacked puck can slide as fast as a major league pitch. While some air hockey tables have elaborate lights and sounds, the basic technology is the same for all of them.
3. Competitive Air Hockey
While more people have more recently become familiar with gaming opportunities like eSports, competitive air hockey started paving the way in 1975. The U.S. Air Hockey Association is the major sanctioning and rules association behind the sport and helps coordinate events around the country. It also ranks players nationally.
Enjoy Air Hockey at House of Games in Bloomington, IL
If you’re ready to play some classic air hockey and are looking for the ideal venue, House of Games is ready for you to book! We also have a vintage arcade room, classic video games, foosball, and more in the convenience and comfort of a vacation rental property. Book today to reserve your fun!
