Although no one knows for certain who invented pool tables, it is clear that they have been around for quite some time. The earliest record of the game dates back to 1500s Northern Europe. The game was popular among all ages. It has remained immensely popular in the United States throughout many years.
Originally, the game of pool was played on grass or a board with a hole in the middle. It was played with objects balls, which were numbered 1-15. It was similar in nature to croquet except that the player would shove the ball rather then strike it. The "mace," a wooden stick used to strike the ball, was introduced in the 1600s.
The game was enhanced with the additions of a cuestick, wooden hoop, as well the balls. It was very popular in Europe and then spread to the United States. It wasn't until the Industrial Revolution that this game became very popular around the world.
The history of the game's development is unclear, though there are many individuals who played a part in it. First, the indoor billiard was invented by King Louis XI in France. The game became very popular in England during the Industrial Revolution. The French nobility also enjoyed the game.
The game became very popular in the United States once it was introduced. Billiards tournaments took place all across the country, as many of the early settlers brought it to the United States. The game became popular in nicer saloons, and the cost of the equipment was prohibitive to the lower classes.
The introduction of ivory as a ball matter made the history of the game even more complex. Ivory was initially made from elephant trunks. Ivory gained popularity in the 17th century. However, it was not indestructible and could crack when subjected to excessive force.
In the 1920s, Ivory pool balls were replaced with a new ball material. This ball material was a combination of nitrocellulose (camphor) and could explode when hit with extreme force.
This new ball material is called a composite. The nitrocellulose wasn't very stable, but it was a more inexpensive replacement for ivory. After a while the stick and hoop had to be abandoned. A leather tip was added to the cue tip, which made it easier to hit balls.
The game continued to grow and flourished in America during the 1800s. John Wesley Hyatt invented a ball using camphor (and nitrocellulose) in the late 1800s. This ball material did not last long and could explode if it was struck with great force.
Michael Phelan (a successful pool player) was another key figure in developing the game. Phelan's dad immigrated from Ireland in 1883 to the United States. Michael followed him into the pool hall industry. Phelan eventually wrote a book called pool which inspired a new generation.