The term “billiards” comes from the French word “bille”, which means “ball”, which refers to a game of ball and stick, and the word “art”, which represents the art of the game. Billiards has been around for many centuries, originating as lawn games in much of the world over 700 years ago. Nowadays, it is typical to see a pool table in every bar or tavern you enter. Some people even have them in their houses, but this was not always the case. When billiards originated, it was played outdoors as early as the 13th century, and from there it moved indoors on tables. Wooden sticks called “mazes” were used to push (rather than hit) the wooden and ivory billiard balls. The maces were eventually modified into studs due to the difficulty of shots near the rails with maces.
Billiard tables have been owned by many prominent historical figures and in many countries. Some of these famous people include George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, King James I of England, and King Louis III, XIV, XV, and XVI of France. It is even recorded that King Louis XI of France bought a pool table as early as 1470. Over time, billiards became more popular in bars, inns, and taverns, thus becoming more common among common people. Below is a brief historical timeline of how the game of billiards came to be.
• 13th century:
o 1200s: Bat-and-ball games are invented and spread rapidly.
• 15th century:
1470: King Louis XI of France buys his own pool table
o Late 1400s: billiards moved from outside on grass to inside on a table
• 16th century:
o 1500: The popularity of the “pool table” spreads among the nobility in France and England
• 17th century:
o 1600 – The game of billiards becomes more popular among commoners in public places
o 1674: “The Complete Gamester”, one of the first publications on how to play billiards, was written by Charles Cotton of England.
• 18th century:
o 1773: Carambola introduced in France
o 1775: “One Pocket” idea developed
o 1797: cotton and wool are replaced by a new fabric to improve smoothness and friction
• 19th century:
o 1807: Carombola becomes popular in England, becoming known as the game of billiards.
o 1820s: the mallet becomes virtually obsolete, replaced only by the cue
o 1823: The perfection of the leather cue tip greatly increases the use of “spin”
o 1826: John Thurston of England develops the first slate tables, replacing the older wooden ones
o 1845: New rail cushions developed from vulcanized rubber by Goodyear.
o 1850s: A billiards “industry” is born, including companies like Sheraton’s and Gillow
o 1860: John Brunswick joins the Phelan-Collender Group to form the Brunswick Corporation
o 1860: Billiard table claims existing in all States of the Union.
o 1868: Development of new billiard balls from cellulose nitrate (called “celluloid”), replaces wood and ivory balls.
1870: First officially recognized English snooker championship played between John Roberts and William Cook
o 1892: Thurston & Co. manufactures the first official standard pool table.
• 20th century:
o 1900: Snooker recognized by the Billiards Association
o 1901: The 8 Ball is invented
o 1910: The straight pool is invented
o 1920: Development of 9 Ball
o 1970s: Cast resin balls replace celluloid and glass billiard balls, improving accuracy in size, weight, and shape.
Many improvements over the centuries have brought billiards and billiards to what it is today. Billiards games have been a hobby for years all over the world, and current trends show that it will stick around for quite some time.