For example, boxing would make the claim that hands as we know belong to them. BJJ would make the claim that subs as we know it belongs to them. Who can make the claim that kicks belong to them. At the very least, they established the foundation or are the oldest martial art? Who at least established the basic kicks and who established the flashy kicks. TKD, Muay Thai, Kung Fu....
Muay Thai number one, but TKD definitely second. For some reason it gets underrated but TKD is known for its effective hard strikes in the martial arts world and the TKD spinning back kick is one of the most dangerous kicks in martial arts (However it can be rather flashy).
I would say Muay Thai kicks are most economical, practical and effective. But, I think the best overall martial art with use in any situation would be SAMBO. Quick, effective, nasty. TKD is flashy but impractical outside of a TKD tournament. I've seen two different black belts have their asses handed to them in street fights by hoodlums with zero training.
I think it's unfair to immediately brand TKD as impractical in a street fight. TKD is one of the styles taught in the military in South Korea, so if its good enough for soldiers trained to fight for their lives, it does have its usefulness in a street fight. Most traditional martial arts do have some flashiness to them (which I guess is ok since it can put the art in martial arts), but they also have a mixture of practical moves as well. Everybody raves on about BJJ's proven less flashy style, but many of the techniques exist in other styles as well (Karate for example does have a ground game with submissions, but that philosphy was to be well rounded rather than just master the ground). The TKD you see at the Olympics is different to what the grand masters know. The spinning back heel kick for example is not a kick you just throw off the cuff; its the kick you use when you have an opportunity to end a fight. It needs to be set up properly and the opponent needs to be stunned, out of position or temporarily incapacitated.
As far as MMA(and K1) goes Karate is well ahead of TKD in terms of influence on kicks I'd guess although as has been said MT is clearly the biggest influence.
Yes, like I said, Muay Thai is the most effective IMO. If you are asking what is the oldest martial art to employ kicks, I'm sure its Asian, but couldn't tell you what it is.
Actually not to sound to euro centric..but they all come from greece....when alexander the great conqured much of asia the styles spread..then they moved into china...then japan..and all the other places...and spilt into other forms
Muay Thai is only like 800 years old so it would have been it's predecessor Muay Boran which set the foundation (at least for Muay Thai's style of kicks). In terms of which martial art set the foundation is a bit hard to say, different kicks for different situations. Muay Thai kicks are a bit more stagnant where the opponent generally sits in front. Would love to hear if any body with some background in ancient martial arts history could give some feedback as well
Considering that China is one of the three oldest civilizations in the world, certainly predating Greece, I think not.