The origins of the Speed Bag as we know it today are shrouded in mystery. Certain historical artifacts depict ancient boxers of Greece and Rome hitting a bag like object probably filled with some material or water. These were almost

certainly animal skins or some other material, for the modern rubber air bladders of  today came after the vulcanization of rubber in the 1840's. Judging by these historical depictions it is fair to say that man has been creating different size punching bags and used various methods of hanging them, for as long as he could make a fist. 

 

A source for " how modern punching bags are made", including striking bags (speed bag), can be found by following this link.

 

The speed bag (also called "striking bag" and "speed ball") as has been seen in various styles and shapes, hung from various types of hangers, wood or metal, and with various types of swivels.  Our own research has found several links to this past and colorful history.

 

* The materials displayed below were purchased from legitimate vendors and are privately owned by speedbagcentral.com

 

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On particularly interesting book, entitled "Boxing and how to train" written by Sam C. Austin, sporting editor of the Police Gazette was published by Richard K. Fox publishing in 1904. It features a whole section on BAG PUNCHING, using the speed bag.  The pages are shown below:

 

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The above pages are interesting in that they feature two different types of swivels. First, a long rope style and then a different style for the dual bag and floor punching diagram. We see the same type of floor swivel below in the 1932 Time Magazine article.   The publisher of this book, Richard K. Fox, was a famous sports fan in the early 19th century and is reported to have introduced the idea of "championship belts" for contests in various sports. Read more about him at this link.

 

Below is an advertisement we have found for a speed bag platform, circa 1904

 

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In the colorful history of traveling vaudeville shows throughout the late 1800's and early 1900's, there were various bag punching "novelty acts", with highly skilled people punching multiple bags.  Pictured below is an autographed postcard of the world famous Vagges and the bags used in their act, circa 1920's.

 

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From Vaudeville days, circa 1922

 

Life Magazine.   In the December 4 issue of 1939, there was a small article about Doris De Green, the most famous female bag puncher of the day.   Shown below are the pictures and text of  that article.   Congratulations  Doris!
	Doris  De Green