Billiards originated as a lawn sport similar to croquet, in the 15th-century. Players would hit balls with a wooden stick called a "mace", turning it around to strike the ball. However, the head of the mace was inconvenient for use near the rails. Players would eventually use chalk to increase friction.
Billiards became popular as a recreation activity following the Industrial Revolution. It was very popular with both men and ladies. It was very popular with soldiers in both World Wars. It was enjoyed by all classes of society, even royalty. Billiards became a popular game in the early 20th century and tournaments were regularly held.
Michael Phelan, who emigrated from Ireland, is considered the father of American pool. He was instrumental in establishing rules and regulations. He also wrote the first American book about billiards. He also designed new tables and cushions. He eventually merged with J.M. Brunswick & Balke, and created the Brunswick-Balke-Collender company. The company dominated the billiards business for two decades. They controlled all aspects of the game.
The first version of this table used flat vertical walls as the rails. This was changed to a more recognizable shape by the early 1900s. It had a hole in the center for the cue ball. It was covered by velvet fabric. It was covered in a soft fabric that protected the table.
Billiards evolved over time from a lawn-game to a more modern table that has six pockets. The game's main objective was to not knock over the 'king'. The game allowed players to choose whether to pot their opponents' balls or return them back to their original locations.
In the past, the balls were made of ivory or wood. They are now made from phenolic resin or polyester. The ball is also resistant to scratches. These balls can also be made of acrylic or plastic. In the 1920s, women were not accepted into the poolroom.
Billiards was popularized in the early 1900s by the lower classes. The tables and equipment were expensive. It was still predominantly played by European elites. The 2015 table sales were the highest ever recorded by the billiards business.
Billiards can be a challenging game. It may take you longer to play than other games. Some claim that the croquet game is what spawned the game of billiards. But this isn't true. Billiards is a popular sport that has been enjoyed by many and has also served as the foundation for many other games.
The game was extremely popular in the late 1800s to early 1900s, particularly among soldiers. After the Industrial Revolution, the cost of the equipment was reduced, and standardization of the table sizes began. The first world championship was held in billiards. It was still very popular with veterans after both World Wars.
Billiards started to lose popularity in the 1950s. In the early 2000s, though, billiards returned to popularity.