History of Bowling

Bowling History Summary

• Bowling's history spans millennia and various cultures, including ancient Egypt, Rome, and Germany.
• Modern ten-pin bowling originated in the United States in the 19th century.
• The American Bowling Congress (1895) and the Women's International Bowling Congress (1916) standardized the sport.
• Bowling was included in the 1936 Olympics.
• Televised lanes in the mid-20th century boosted bowling's popularity.
• Bowling embraced automatic pinsetters and computerized scoring.
• Candlepin and duckpin bowling variations were introduced.

Bowling History Timeline: 3200 BC - 300 AD

• 3200 BC: Bowling-like game in Egypt, with tomb artifacts resembling pins and balls.
• 50 AD: Roman legionaries played a game rolling stone balls at smaller stones.
• 300 AD: In Germany, a bowling-like game was a religious ceremony where participants knocked over a "Kegel" (club-like object) with a stone, symbolizing the destruction of sins.

Bowling History Timeline: 1300s - 1600s

• Bowling evolved across Europe in the Middle Ages.
• 1299: King Edward III of England allegedly banned bowling to focus troops on archery.
• 1511: Martin Luther standardized the game in Germany to nine pins.
• 1609: King James I of England outlawed bowling as it distracted from essential trades, yet it gained popularity, spreading throughout Europe.

Bowling History Timeline: 1700s - 1800s

• English, Dutch, and German settlers introduced bowling to America in the 17th and 18th centuries.
• Early 19th century: Bowling was common in New York City, with many alleys in Manhattan.
• 1841: Connecticut legislated against bowling, fining those hosting nine-pin games.
• 1840s: Ten-pin bowling emerged in response to the ban on nine-pin bowling.
• 1895: The American Bowling Congress (ABC) was established, standardizing rules, equipment, and permits for championships.

Bowling History Timeline: 1916 - 1930s

• 1916: The Women's International Bowling Congress (WIBC) was founded, governing women's championships.
• 1936: Gottfried Schmidt invented the automatic pinsetter.

Bowling History Timeline: 1950s - 1960s

• 1950s: Television increased bowling's popularity.
• Shows like "Championship Bowling" and "Make That Spare" created interest and participation.
• 1958: The Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) was established.
• 1960s: Automatic scoring systems replaced manual scorekeeping.

Bowling History Timeline: 1970s - 1980s

• 1970s: Considered a golden age, with players like Earl Anthony and Mark Roth.
• 1979: The PBA tour offered over $3 million in prizes.
• 1980s: Rise of video games and entertainment options led to a slight decline, but family-oriented bowling centers kept interest.

Bowling History Timeline: 1990s - 2000s

• New bowling ball materials provided more power and control.
• Bowlers like Walter Ray Williams Jr., Pete Weber, and Kelly Kulick achieved records.

5 Different Types of Bowling

• Many bowling game variations have evolved globally over thousands of years.
• Ten-pin bowling involves tossing a 16-pound ball to knock down ten pins.

10-Pin Bowling

• Most popular in the United States
• The American Bowling Congress adopted its official rules in 1895.
• Ball: 6 to 16 pounds, with three finger holes.
• Pins: Made of wood or plastic, 3 lbs 6 oz to 3 lbs 10 oz, 15" tall, 4.7" wide.
• Ten pins arranged in a triangle (frame).
• Ten frames in a game.
• Two turns per player, unless a strike is rolled.

9-Pin Bowling

• Nine pins to roll over.
• Popular in the US until the early 20th century.
• Associated with crime and gambling, deemed illegal.
• Ball: Smaller.
• Pins: Diamond shape with a red pin in the middle.
• Games is manually placed by a human pin-setter
• Six frames in a game.
• Two turns per player regardless of pins rolled over between the previous player
• No individual score per player.
• Six players per team.
• Pins are not reset between players; the next player plays the remaining pins.

5-Pin Bowling

• Played in Canada.
• Formed in 1909 to resolve bowler complaints.
• A perfect game scores 450 points.
• Pins arranged in a "V" shape; players hit the center pin.
• Balls: Small, fitting in one hand, no finger holes.
• Pins: Smaller than 10-pin, with a rubber band around the middle.
• Ten frames per game.
• Three turns per player.

Candlepin Bowling

• First seen in Massachusetts in the 1880s.
• Pins are thin, cylindrical, and placed in two horizontal rows (3 in front, 7 in back)
• A perfect game scores 300 points; the highest recorded score is 245.
• Balls: Very small, 2 lbs 7 oz, 4.5" diameter.
• Ten frames per game.
• Three turns per player.

Duckpin Bowling

• Similar to 10-pin bowling.
• Pins: Shorter and wider (9 inches tall).
• Harder to hit a strike than in 10-pin bowling.
• Ball: 3.75 pounds, no finger holes.
• Ten frames per game.
• Three turns per player.

Different stances of Bowling

• Stance
• Approach
• Delivery

Explore the rich history of bowling, from ancient Egypt to modern-day ten-pin. Discover its origins, standardization, and cultural impact. Learn about the key milestones and variations in this popular sport.