Some of the earliest known players to popularize the dunk were Joe Fortenberry and Bob Kurland in the late 1930s and early 1940s. Both of these players were over 6 feet 8 inches tall and played during the time when dunking was still a relatively rare occurrence. As dunking became more common and gained popularity, players like Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell further solidified its place in basketball during the 1950s and 1960s.