The actual evolution of tap is unknown and still being researched, however there are many schools of thought as to possibilities of how tap was first conceived. It is believed though that British dances such as the jig and the clog coupled with the stomp from West Africa were the catalysts. It is thought that slave ships passing through the West Indies on rout to America, were exposed to European dances and this had some influence to it's conception, and it was these Afro-Americans that then added a syncopation to the dance.

 

Although many of the land mark tap dancers are unknown, there are two particular dancers that are generally accepted as having a profound effect on the course to which tap dancing has taken. Bill Robinson and John Bubbles are recognised as being the corner stones of tap history. Not only did they break ground in tap innovation but they also broke new ground in finding their way onto the big screen, even though they were some times criticised for their stereotypical rolls in these films.

 

There were many solo tap dancers each having their own distinct style and at the time there was a lot of rivalry as livelihoods were at stake, not to mention reputations. The rivalry took the form of challenges that usually took place off stage in the street or in the famed 'Hoofers Club'. Although some rivalry took place on stage between group acts, more often than not acts that followed other acts made sure that they out performed the previous act. It was unfortunate if your act and other acts were the first to go on, because the other acts following could always better what they had seen from your act and acts preceding yours. This lead to many arguments as to who went where in the performance line up. Many performer refused point blank to go on before acts they knew could pose a threat to there reputation, as reputation was every thing and possibly the difference between working or not working. There was an unspoken rule that existed which stated that no dancer was allowed to copy an act of another performer in a paid performance, and if you were caught there was no forgiving.

 

Dancers drew inspiration from all types of dances that they were exposed to, adapting and changing dance moves from different countries, who happened to be touring around America at the time. Russian, Irish and popular dances were all adapted to tap in order to create some thing new for that competitive edge over other acts that all competed for the same few shows. Acrobatics were also incorporated into acts and it got to the extent that the actual tap dancing was the last consideration in a performance.

 

There are many tails of challenges held and challenges avoided by dancers wanting to keep their reputations intact. The 'Hoofers Club' was the place to go for new dancers wanting to know what the local competition was doing and was also where sometimes advice could be gained from one of the many great names that would frequent the club. The 'Hoofers Club' was the source of many stories and legends of dancers stealing steps and challenged each other, but most importantly it was where you could see what was happening and what the latest dance steps were. If you believed you were any good it was also the place to test your self out, in front of the best tap dancers of the time and if you could hold there attention you knew you had some thing.