History
The International Badminton Federation (IBF) was founded in 1934. Five years later the IBF president, Sir George Thomas, presented a challenge trophy for the world team badminton championship.
Because of World War II, the first championship wasn't held until 1949. Competition was originally staged every three years, but it has been biennial since 1982.
The trophy is officially known as the International Badminton Championship Challenge Cup, but it's more commonly called the Thomas Cup in honor of the donor.
In 1950, Mrs. H. S. Uber offered to donate a trophy for international women's team competition. However, the IBF didn't formally accept the trophy until 1953 and the first championship wasn't held until 1957. Mrs. Uber designed the silver cup, which is formally the Ladies' International Badminton Championship Challenge Trophy.
As with the men's championship, Uber Cup competition was originally held every three years, but it became biennial in 1984.
The IBF began staging world championships in men's and women's singles, men's and women's doubles, and mixed doubles in 1977.
