At Blatt Billiards, we know that billiards is more than just a game, and as such, its history is an important part of our lives. We’d love to share its storied history with you, so you can move forward with ordering your custom billiard table in confidence.
Billiards is an ancient game with a rich and fascinating history, and it has captivated many famous figures over the centuries. Mozart, Marie Antoinette, and Napoleon were among its notable admirers.
American leaders like Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, and Theodore Roosevelt enjoyed the game as well. In addition, icons such as Lewis Carroll, Jackie Gleason, and Babe Ruth also took pleasure in playing, just to name a few.
The game is mentioned by Shakespeare in Antony and Cleopatra when Cleopatra says, “Let it alone; let's to billiards: come, Charmian,” in Act II, Scene V. Of course, that doesn’t mean that billiards was played in Ancient Egypt… or was it? Read on to find out who invented the game of pool.
What Is Billiards?
Before you learn about when billiards was invented, you should know a little bit about the game. Billiards is a game with many forms, including snooker and the many varieties of pool. According to Britannica, billiards is “any of various games played on a rectangular table with a designated number of small balls and a long stick called a cue.”
In its most basic form, billiards is a game usually played by two people or two teams. It involves striking balls with a cue to shoot them into pockets. You can do this either directly or by bouncing them off the cushioned walls that edge the table’s surface.
When Was the Game of Billiards Invented?
There is some question as to exactly when the game of billiards was invented. However, there is plenty of historical evidence to support some popular theories on the subject. But before we get into what we do know, here’s some interesting speculation:
There is a record of an ancient Greek traveler named Anacharsis. He reportedly saw some Egyptians playing a game that may or may not have been similar to billiards. This was about 2.5 thousand years ago. He also said that it may have been adopted by the Greeks.
The passing of time means that we will never know how similar, if at all, this game actually was to billiards. What we do know for sure is that some version of billiards has been played for at least the last 680 years.
Our first solid record of when billiards was played is from the 1340s in France. Although, you would not recognize it as the game we play today. It was an outdoor game back then, and looked something like the game of croquet, played on the grass with a mallet.
Who Invented Billiards?
Sadly, we have no way of knowing who the very first inventor of billiards was—that information has been lost to time. However, a number of important people have had a strong bearing on the evolution of the game and what it has become.
- King Louis XI of France is known to have owned the first indoor billiard table in the 1400s, marking the game's initial transition indoors.
- King Louis XIV significantly influenced billiards 200 years later. He popularized the game among the nobility and altered some of its fundamental aspects.
- John Thurston, a prominent furniture maker, addressed the increasing demand for billiard tables in Europe, becoming a key figure in the industry.
- John Wesley Hyatt is responsible for the composite billiard ball.
- Captain Mingaud is remembered for inventing the cue tip we know today.
- John M. Brunswick started building billiard tables in his machine shop in 1845, becoming a force in the industry.
The History of Pool and Billiards
During King Louis XIV’s reign in the 1600s, billiards was still played with a sort of club. This club was similar to a croquet mallet, and the ball was pushed around, rather than hit. There were no pockets on the tables yet, but there were cushions to keep the balls in. There were also a range of other obstacles on the table.
The point of the game was similar to that of croquet, with obstacles and a “goal” through which the ball must be directed. However, the mallet made taking shots off the cushion difficult. So, people started using the handle end for those tougher shots.
By the end of the 1600s, the popularity of using the handle of the mallet had grown. This is when the concept of the cue began to take shape.
Over the next 100 years, the game spread dramatically, becoming the standard pastime in the cafés on the streets of Paris. By then it was played by many upper class citizens, rather than just the nobility.
Slowly, the idea of pockets or holes was introduced, but not as a goal. They were called hazards, just like in golf, and were to be avoided. As the other obstacles were slowly removed and the game was refined, the pockets eventually became the target.
The Introduction of Industry
At the end of the 1700s, with the industrial revolution raging, billiards experienced some dramatic and important changes. The cue we know today was developed and refined, the cushions began to be made of more suitable materials, and tables were standardized. These changes made the game more fair, and allowed players to vastly improve their skills.
The 1800s were the time when billiards really began to take shape as the game we know today, as well as when some of its newer forms came to light.
Pool and Snooker
In the USA, the game known as pocket billiards became popular in the betting houses for horse races. This was a way for gamblers to keep themselves busy. Because the money gathered for a bet is called a pool, the game of pocket billiards became known as “pool” due to its association with the gambling halls.
It was also during the 1800s that another billiards spin-off was invented, named snooker. In 1875, a British lieutenant called Neville Francis Fitzgerald Chamberlain was messing around while playing a game of black pool, and added in some extra colored balls.
Playing with a group of men who were confused about his new rules, he told them they were all rookies at his new game. The term used for a rookie at the Royal Military Academy at the time was 'snooker,' and the name took hold.
About 10 years later, the British billiards champion was visiting India, and met Lieutenant Chamberlain at a dinner. He showed great interest in the game, and had Chamberlain explain the rules to him. He showed the new game to people in England, and within 25 years, snooker equipment was being produced and sold in the UK.
Timeline of Key Events in Billiards History
Billiards has a rich history marked by key milestones. These milestones showcase its evolution from a royal pastime in the 15th century to a popular competitive sport today. Here are some important times in billiards history:
- 1400s: King Louis XI of France is known to have owned the first indoor billiard table, marking the game's transition from outdoor play.
- 1580: The first known mention of billiards in English literature appears, showcasing the game's growing popularity.
- 1600s: King Louis XIV popularizes billiards among the French nobility, leading to the game’s widespread appeal.
- 1700s: The cue stick begins to replace the club-like mallet, allowing for more precise shots and altering the way the game is played.
- 1775: The first known billiards table with pockets is created in England, evolving the gameplay significantly.
- 1820s: The game of snooker is invented by British Army officer Neville Francis Fitzgerald Chamberlain. This introduced new rules and colored balls.
- 1845: John M. Brunswick establishes his billiard table manufacturing company in the U.S., becoming a prominent figure in the industry.
- 1860: The first billiard tournament is held in the United States, marking the beginning of competitive billiards.
- 1878: The first official World Billiards Championship takes place in England, setting the stage for future tournaments.
- 1930s: Pool leagues and organized tournaments begin to flourish, further popularizing the sport in America.
- 1950s: The introduction of the modern composite billiard ball revolutionizes the game, providing better consistency and playability.
- 1970s: The emergence of professional billiards on television brings the game to a wider audience, boosting its popularity.
- 1980s: Professional billiards organizations, such as the World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA), establish standardized rules and conduct world championships.
- 2000s: Technological advancements transform billiards, leading to the creation of high-tech training aids. Online platforms for learning and watching billiards are now available. These developments make the game more accessible to players of all skill levels.
This timeline shows the key milestones in billiards history. It showcases its evolution from a royal pastime to a popular competitive sport enjoyed by millions worldwide.
Blatt Billiards: A Billiards Company for the Generations
Now that you have deeper knowledge of the lively and diverse history of pool, and when the game of pool was invented, you can move on to the ultimate enjoyment—playing billiards on your own custom-made Blatt Billiards table.
Contact us today to begin the process of creating a billiard table of superior craftsmanship and quality to last the generations.
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