The Origins
The roots of bowling can be traced back to 5000 B.C. in ancient Egypt. It is said that certain games were played by rolling round stones that would knock over standing objects. No, they did not have polished lanes or PBA sponsorships but they did have fun!
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Bowling Evolves
The first thing resembling bowling lanes was born in England in the 14th century. It actually became so popular that the King banned the sport because it was distracting the soldiers that were suppose to be protecting the country. Decades later, the game was permitted again and it’s evolution would continue
Outside Bowling? Huh?
Bowling was initially played outdoors but as we all know, the weather in The UK is not friendly for such activities. The rain and cold was a big problem. Eventually, many bowlers built roofs above their outdoor lanes, which helped with the rain but it was still not an ideal situation.
Bowling Makes it’s Way to America
The sport of Bowling eventually made it’s way to America and became a more refined version called “Ninepin”. A smoother ball was used and wooden lanes were built for a better “roll”. By the mid 1800s, the sport became extremely popular and it also attracted many gamblers who loved to bet on the matches.
Primitive drawings of a sport similar to bowling were found in ancient Egypt dating back as far as 5000 B.C.
This honor can be attributed to 98 year old Joseph Gentiluomo
The bowler with the most winning record is Walter Ray Williams Jr. who not only holds the record for most PBA Player of the Year awards, but who also has the most PBA Championships won
Most balls have 3 holes but you can have it custom drilled to have many more than three
It really tied the room together
However, the issue with gambling led to a ban on Ninepin in many states including Connecticut, which decided to add an extra pin to the game, thus creating “Tenpin bowling”. This new version of the sport became an instant success and quickly spread throughout the country, with the first official governing body, the American Bowling Congress being formed in 1895.
In Conclusion
Although its origins are somewhat unclear, it is believed that bowling can be traced back to ancient civilizations. However, the modern version of the sport as we know it today originated in the 19th century and has continued to evolve with the introduction of new technologies such as computerized scoring and synthetic lanes. Today, bowling is enjoyed by millions of people worldwide, with leagues and tournaments held in almost every country. It truly is a timeless game that has stood the test of time and will continue to be a popular pastime for generations to come.
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