Volleyball was invented in 1895 at the Holyoke YMCA Gymnasium in the United States by William Morgan, who originally called it Mintonette. It was later renamed volleyball by Dr. AT Halsted of Sprigfield College. The game achieved Olympic status in 1964 and international governing bodies like the International Volleyball Association and national federations were established between 1947-1955 to organize competitions and standardize rules including court dimensions and equipment specifications.