A Timeline of Billiard & Pool History
The term “billiard” or “billiards” has been in use for many centuries, and the game itself is still widely used and enjoyed today. The word billiard comes from the French word “bille,” meaning “ball” and referring to a ball and stick game, and the word “art,” representing the art of the game. Presently, it is commonplace to see at least one pool table in every bar you walk into, and many people even have them in their homes. It was not always like that, however. When billiards started out, it originated outdoors as early as the thirteenth century, and from there moved indoors onto tables. Wooden sticks called “maces” were used to shove (rather than stroke) the ball, and eventually were modified into cue sticks due to the difficulty of shots near rails with a mace.
Many well-known, historical figures have owned pool tables, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, King James I of England, and Kings Louis III, XIV, XV, and XVI of France. It is even recorded that King Louis XI of France bought a billiard table as early as 1470! Throughout the centuries, billiards became more and more popular in bars, inns, and taverns, and became more commonplace amongst common people. The following is a brief, historical timeline of how the game of billiards came about:
· 13th century:
o 1200s: Bat and ball lawn games are invented and spread quickly
· 15th century:
o 1470: King Louis XI of France purchases a billiard table
o End 1400’s: billiards moved from outside on the grass to inside on a table
· 16th century:
o 1500s: “Table billiards” popularity spread amongst nobility in France and England
· 17th century:
o 1600s: Billiard play becomes more popular amongst commoners in public places
o 1674: One of the first “how to” books on billiards, “The Complete Gamester” was written by Charles Cotton of England
· 18th century:
o 1773: Carambole introduced in France
o 1775: Idea of “One Pocket” developed
o 1797: New fabric replaces cotton and wool to improve smoothness and friction
· 19th century:
o 1807: Carombole becomes popular in England and is come to be known as the game of billiards
o 1820s: The use of the mace becomes virtually nonexistent
o 1823: The perfection of the leather cue tip greatly increases the use of “spin”
o 1826: Wooden game board changed to slate by John Thurston of England
o 1845: New rail cushions developed from vulcanized rubber by Goodyear.
o 1850s: A billiard “industry” is born with companies like Sheraton’s and Gillow
o 1860: John Brunswick joins with the Phelan-Collender Group to form the Brunswick Corporation
o 1860: Claims of having billiard tables in every State of the Union.
o 1868: Development of new billiard balls out of cellulose nitrate, replacing wooden- and ivory-made balls
o 1870: 1st official English Championship played between John Roberts and William Cook
o 1892: 1st official standard billiard table is made by Thurston & Co.
· 20th century:
o 1900: Snooker recognized by the Billiards Association
o 1901: Invention of 8-Ball
o 1910: Invention of Straight Pool
o 1920: Development of 9-Ball
o 1970s: Cast resin balls replace crystalate and celluloid billiard balls, improving accuracy in size, weight, and shape
Many improvements and tons of dedication over the centuries has led billiards and pool to what it has become today. Billiard games have been around for a long time, and current and future trends indicate that it will not be going away anytime soon.
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