During the 15th century, billiards began as a lawn game like croquet. Players used a "mace" to hit balls. The mace was a long wooden stick. However, the head of the mace was inconvenient for use near the rails. To increase friction, the players eventually used chalk.
Billiards became popular as a recreation activity following the Industrial Revolution. Both men and females loved this game. It was very popular with soldiers in both World Wars. It was also a popular entertainment for all classes, including royalty. Billiards was a popular sport in the 20th century and tournaments were organized regularly.
Michael Phelan, an Irish immigrant, is known as the father of American pool. He helped set rules and regulations and also wrote the first American book on billiards. He also invented new cushion and table designs. Eventually, he merged with J.M. Brunswick & Balke, and created the Brunswick-Balke-Collender company. They dominated the billiards sector for the next twenty years. They controlled all aspects of the game.
The original version of the table featured flat vertical walls that served as rails. By the 1900s, it was redesigned to be more easily recognized. It had a central hole that could hold the cue balls. It was covered by velvet fabric. This fabric was a softer one, which protected the table.
Billiards evolved over time from a lawn-game to a more modern table that has six pockets. The goal of the game is to avoid knocking over 'the king'. Players had the option to return their balls to the original spot or to pot others' balls.
In the past, these balls were made out of ivory or wood. They are now made with phenolic or polyester. The ball is also scratchproof. These balls can also be made of acrylic or plastic. Women were initially rejected in the poolroom in 1920.
Billiards started to be more popular in the early 1900s with lower class people. However, the cost of the tables and equipment was prohibitive. It was still primarily played by the upper class in Europe. The 2015 table sales were the highest ever recorded by the billiards business.
Billiards is a game that requires varying skill levels. In addition, it may take longer than other games. Some claim that the croquet game is what spawned the game of billiards. But this isn't true. Billiards has evolved into an exciting game that many people enjoy and is the basis for many others.
It was very popular among soldiers in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The equipment cost was lower after the Industrial Revolution and standardization of table sizes was achieved. Billiards became the first sport to host an international championship. It was still very popular with veterans after both World Wars.
Billiards lost popularity in the 1950s. In the early 2000s, though, billiards returned to popularity.