The Amazing History of Bowling
25 May 2009..The Dutch brought their version of bowling with them when they immigrated to the New World during the 1600’s. The Dutch residents of what is now New York City bowled in a section of Manhattan still called Bowling Green..
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People have competed in various forms of bowling for thousands of years. The earliest evidence of the sport dates back to ancient Egypt. Archaeologists discovered equipment for game resembling bowling that had been buried with a child about 5200 B.C.
The Ancient Polynesians
The ancient Polynesians played a game that involved rolling small balls at round, flat disks about 4 inches (10 centimeters) in diameter. They rolled the balls 60 feet (18 meters), distance used in bowling today.
Germany
Modern forms of bowling can be traced back to the middle Ages. In Germany, village dances and celebrations of baptisms included bowling. The Germans rolled or threw stones at nine wooden clubs called kegles, and bowlers today are sometimes known as keglers.
England (1100’s)
Bowling appeared in England as early as the 1100’s.The game became so popular that English people began to consider it more important than archery. But archery had such a vital role in the defense of England that Parliament outlawed bowling for a time.
Netherlands (1600’s)
In the Netherlands, people played a game called Dutch pins. They arranged nine tall, slender pins in a diamond. The pins were spaced widely apart. The bowler who knocked down 31 pins and more than that number won the game. A bowler could also win by knocking over the middle pin-called the kingpin-without toppling any others. The Dutch brought their version of bowling with them when they immigrated to the New World during the 1600’s. The Dutch residents of what is now New York City bowled in a section of Manhattan still called Bowling Green.
‘Bowling at Nine Pins’ (1800’s)
Bowling became increasingly popular in New England during the 1800’s. But gambling on the sport became so widespread that bowling came to be considered a social evil. In 1841, the Connecticut legislature outlawed “bowling at nine pins.” Bowlers evaded the ban by adding a pin-and thus started the 10-pin bowling game.
The American Bowling Congress (1895)
The Americans Bowling Congress (ABC) was organized in 1895. It established standard playing rules and specifications for balls, pins, and lanes. The ABC conducted its first annual tournament in 1901. Today, the ABC has a membership of about 3 million who bowl in organized competition. The Women’s International Bowling Congress (WIBC). Organized in 1916, directs women’s competition. The WIBC ranks as the world’s largest sports organization for women.
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Family Recreation (1900’s)
During the early 1900’s, most bowling established were small, dimly lit, smoke-filled places. Few people considered them suitable for families. In 1932, the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America was formed to raise the standards of bowling establishments. By the mid-1900’s, the sport had become an accepted form of family recreation.
Modern Bowling (1951)
Until 1951, bowling pins were set by a machine that was loaded and operated by hand. That year, the introduction of an automatic pin-spotting machine sped up the game greatly. Use of the new machine quickly led to the construction of large, modern bowling centers.
A World Tournament
Every four years. The International Bowling Federation (Federation Internationale des Quilleurs, or FIQ) sponsors a world tournament for amateur bowlers. The tournament determines both individual and team champions. In 1971, the tournament took place in Milwaukee, the first time the event was held in the United States.
In 1973, the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame opened in Greendale, Wisconsin. It moved to St. Louis, Missouri, in 1984.
22 Comments
Great presentation with great pictures. I have always enjoyed bowling. Thanks for sharing.
Bowling is a wonderful sport, nice exercise, too. Good to know about the history of the game.
Did not know bowling had such a long history, thanks for the great info.
Excellent article as usual! Thanks for sharing!
Interesting article. I have never bowled in my life.
Terrific piece with great pictures! Thanks.
Wow, how interesting. I learned from your great detail about bowling!
Some pubs in England stii have 9 pin bowling alleys, only they are called ’skittle alleys’.
Had a ball with this piece, Thought you might strike out and have nothing to spare… I’m split on my review… (I’m tired!)
Thanks,
Clay
Great info! Really interesting article.
Interesting stuff with nice images.
Fascinating…I like reading about the history of things.
well done. i used to love going bowling, but i never knew any of this about the sport.
Nice piece of history. Thanks for sharing.
Very informative article Mr. Ghaz. Very well-written, however never had I any experience of this sport.
A wonderfull sport that we use to enjoy but I didn’t know the history on it , Thank you for ahring Mr Ghaz
Bowling is so much fun, nice to read the history of it. Informative article.
This is a great article, very informative,
and the photos add a nice touch!
I really enjoyed this since I never knew very much about the background of bowling. Just curious…did you happen to find any info regarding Duck Pin bowling?
Paeng Nepomuceno of the Philippines isa hall of famer and a bowling legend,he was the only man who became champion in 4 different decades,70s,80s,90s and 2000s,.
that was an awesome article.. I was looking forward for these details. I love bowling. thank you.
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