The History of Billiards

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The History of Billiards
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Origins

• Originated during the 15th Century
• First modeled after croquet
• The word billiards is French, deriving either
  from billart, meaning stick, or billie,
  meaning ball.

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Evolution of the Cue Stick

• Tool used in early billiards was a club-like
  stick called a mace
• In 1600s, cue stick evolved from the mace and
  became the standard

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Milestones

• 1830s Development of the leather cue tip

• 1835 Slate used for table tops
• 1845 Rubber used in billiard cushions
• 1850s Game standardized-no longer a
  pastime classified as a sport

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Billiards in America

• Popularized by Irish Immigrant Michael Phelan
• Contributions
• Added diamonds to assist aiming
• Developed new table and cushion designs
• First American Billiard columnist

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Poolroom

• Pool means a collective bet
• Many non-billiard games involve a pool the name
  stuck to pocket billiards
• In 19th century, poolrooms were betting places
  for horse racing
• Pool tables were installed for patrons to pass
  time

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1900s The Golden Age

• Championship billiards received wider coverage
  than WW II news.
• Championship players were as popular as members
  of other professional sports

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Movie Themes

• The Hustler
• The Color or Money

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Latest Trends

• Stand Alone Pool Parlors
• Played by young professional men and women

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• Billiards is one of the pastimes that countless
  people have enjoyed and will continue to enjoy
  throughout the years

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Time to Celebrate.