All About Bowling

Even though the bowling has been the subject of satire in such movies as Kingpin and Big Lebo ski, it is certainly a genuine sport. And, believe it or not, it may be one of the oldest sports in world history. Over 100 million people in more than 90 countries practice the game, making it one of the most popular and universally loved forms of recreation on the planet. It has been played by kings (literally), and the startling facts behind the origins of bowling may surprise even the most dedicated main man.

 

In 1930, the British anthropologist Sir Flinders Petrie the first to detect signs of a bowling-like game. He found ancient objects in a child's grave in Egypt, allegedly, used a primitive form of the game. Artifacts have been dated back to 3200 BC, effectively making bowling over 5000 years old! Although some critics put the birth of bowling much later (German historian William Pehle said that the game originated in his country in 300 AD), it has certainly endured centuries to settle into the modern lanes that we all know and love today.

The first written mention of a bowling-like sport can be traced back to the year 1366 in England. Allegedly King Edward III banned the game to keep his troops focused on their archery practice, but it was certainly in vogue (and legal) under King Henry VIII. Many variations of bowling have come from Europe including Italian bocce, French pentanque, and even Britain's lawn bowling, but the question of who introduced bowling to the United States is far more uncertain.

The English, Dutch and German settlers all brought their own versions of the game to the New World. The earliest mention of American bowling comes in the form of a quote from Rip Van winkle when old Rip wakes up to the sound of "ninepins". The origin of Tenpin game is still unknown, but at the end of 1800, it was prevalent in New York, Ohio and Illinois. The first standardization of the rules of the game was established on 9 September 1895, at Beethoven Hall in New York City. It was then that the American Bowling Congress was formed, and major national competitions began. Women's International Congress came much later in the year 1917 under the encouragement of proprietor Dennis Sweeny. The women leaders participating in a tournament later formed the Woman's National Bowling Association.

The first Mineralite ball was introduced in 1914 by the Brunswick Corporation, and the first commercial installation of a pin setting machine came in 1952, to "pin boys" almost entirely unnecessary. But nothing did more for the popularity of bowling than the first broadcast of "Championship Bowling" by NBC in 1950. Thanks to this show and many others including "Make that Spare", "Bowling for Dollars" and "Celebrity Bowling", bowling was thrust into the American public's living rooms and hearts alike. Pro Bowl trip was hugely popular on ABC Sports Broadcasting after first being televised in 1961. These events all added to the popularity of Bowling but make no mistake. Bowling is loved in its own right because it is a sport for the people. It has come from its early forms evolve into a truly enjoyable American past time.

Milestones:

1875 - Eleven New York area clubs will meet to create rules and some standardization of equipment. No material impact because there was no agreement on the width of the pitch or the size of the pin.

1892 - Women were known to be active participants and even overthrown in a separate event at the 1907 ABC tournament.

1895 - American Bowling Congress organized at Beethoven Hall in New York City. Highest score is located on 300th Previously, 20 balls with a top score of 200 distance between pins was set at 12 inches. The original organizers represented in New York City, Brooklyn, NY and Buffalo, NY The following year Cincinnati, Boston and Lowell, Massachusetts was represented and letters of interest were received from Chicago, St. Louis, Wheeling, W. Va., Kansas City Mo, Quebec, Canada.

1900 -1910 - ABC's relevance and credibility were tested often in a power struggle between the East (New York) and west (Chicago). Among other topics that are familiar New York rare competition would be fees to be $ 1 per league. Chicago, which had regular league sessions favorable $ 1 per team.

1902 - Ernest Fosberg of Rockford, Ill. becomes first to roll ABC-approved 300 in five male league play.

1903 - ED Peifer of Chicago will unveil a disability approach to bowling. Previously, all competition was a "scratch" (actual score) basis.

1905 - First hard rubber ball developed; maximum ball weight is 16 pounds. Previously all balls are made of "lignum vitae, a hardwood.

1906 - Brunswick-Balke-Collender opens factory to make wooden bowling balls.

1906 - The Eastern eliminated from ABC and organized his own group. Fourteen years later they returned to the flock.

1906 - ABC refuses to allow women to become members.

1916 - The WIBC founded.

1916 - ABC changes in its constitution, which limits its membership to white males only.

1920 - Prohibition Act leads to increase in the bowling as owners discover that patrons want to bowl, although they can not drink.

1922 - Alley owners and employees located in separate membership class. In 1929 "class" was expanded to include persons with economic interests, instructors or those who received pay for services. The possibility that these people could be better with the free practice was the crux of the rule. It was voted out in 1948.

1928 - rule requiring alleys to eject the player agreed types and bowler warned that any interference would lead to expulsion. In 1976, almost the rule be abolished, because the casino properties in Las Vegas and Reno could not even sponsor the team.

1930 - Jenny Kelleher, Madison, WISC. Rolls first WIBC-approved perfect game.

1939 - Rule requires annual inspection and certification of lanes is adopted.

1939 - The National Negro Bowling Assoc. founded (later changed to The National Bowling Association, Inc.

1941 - ABC Hall of Fame established. (Only baseball and golf, the older Hall of Fame.)

1941 -1945 World War II a significant influence bowling. The military built 4,500 nesting sites on the way as a major source of recreation. It was the first exposure to bowling for countless soldiers and women.

1948 - Brunswick introduces the dots and arrow markers to their lanes, dramatically improving accuracy for most bowler.

1950 - After a bitter battle with activists from labor and religious areas, which lasted several years, ABC removes "white only" from its constitution.

1958 - The Professional Bowler Association (PBA) was founded by Eddie Elias, an Akron lawyer and television sports interviewer. There were 33 charter members.

1959 - The Professional Women Bowler's Association is the first organization for professional female bowler. It is no longer functioning.

1962 - American Disabled Bowling Association formed.

1978 - J. Elmer Reed, a pioneer in the National Negro Bowling Association, becoming the first black inducted into the ABC Hall of Fame.

1981 - Ladies Pro Bowl Tour formed.

1982 - Young American Bowling Alliance, formed by the merger of the American Junior Bowling Congress Youth Bowling Assn. and ABC / WIBC collegiate divisions.

1993 - ABC removes "male only" from its constitution threatened by women activists.