Why did one-wall handball spread through the eastern United States?

One-wall handball was developed in New York City around 1913, and its rapid spread throughout the eastern United States was driven by its practicality in urban environments where space was at a premium.1

Because one-wall courts are less expensive to build than four-wall versions, they were easily integrated into existing infrastructure, including being installed on rooftops in large cities. The game was subsequently adopted by the Young Men’s Christian Association and various clubs, which helped facilitate its popularity among both men and women across the region.21