Pickleball was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, a short ferry ride from Seattle, Washington. Three fathers - Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum - who were looking for a way to keep their children entertained during the usual summer activities, are the inventors of the game. Pickleball has evolved from its original handmade equipment and simple rules into a popular sport in the United States and Canada. The game is also gaining popularity internationally, as new courts are being built in many European and Asian countries.