Foosball. Babyfoot. What's in a name?

It’s hotly debated from which country 'Babyfoot' originates from and what the correct name is for this loved game. Lots of countries have a connection with table football but only Bonzini 'Babyfoot' can be associated with French cafés and bars culture. The commonly used foosball name is strongly associated with America and with the games's staring role in Joey and Chandler's flat in Friends, many people believe it's an American invention. The name foosball was actually popularised by returning GIs who were based in Germany during the Cold War. It's simply German for football.

Since 1959, over 125,000 Bonzini B60 foosball tables have been made in France at the Parisian factory and exported to nearly 60 countries though the actual game was invented by an Englishman called Harold Thornton in 1921 who was looking for a game that replicated football and could be played in the home. Table football has since evolved into an international sport with its own organising body, the ITSF. The ITSF are based in France, but competitions they regulate, are truly international. Bonzini tables feature heavily in the World Cup and World Championships. 

The introduction of the B90 in 1989, brought the B60 into the home and clubs. A table that’s made and plays like a B60 but without the coin operation. Needless to say, the B90 has since become the best seller for Bonzini Babyfoot enthusiasts the world over.

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