Bowling, the sport of the middle class. Played in nostalgic 50's era mod
lanes, or in blacklit, neon modern mega-complexes bowling is now the past
time of friends and families all across america. It has been a game enjoyed
by many, since its inception in 5200bc by the Egyptians to its use as
a religious worship by Germanic monks in 200ad, bowling has had quite
a past.
The actual first recorded enclosed 'bowling center' was built in London
around 1455, but bowling 'greens' were being built on the lawns of nobility
in Europe since the 1300's. This original enclosed center was used by
common-folk as a gathering place, to drink and enjoy the game of 'nine-pins'
( it was originally called 'kegels' ). These enclosed centers spread to
other majoy towns in England throughout the next 10 years. The big problem
was that the nobility never seem to like commoners to 'gather' together
in one spot too long, and in 1465 Edward the IV made an edict forbidding
'hustling of stones' ( the slang term at the time ) and any other bowling
like sport. This took its toll on the sport in England for the next 20
years or so. But the sport again started taking off and gained popularity
once again...of course this couldnt last, in 1555 all bowling centers
in England were closed, considered 'places of unlawful assembly'.
In 1611 Captain James Smith is returning to the colony at JamesTown
in Virginia to find the colonists, starving and out of food, but happily
spending their time bowling. This he finds offensive as the colonists
should be working, and the sport is declared illegal and punishable
by three weeks in the stocks. The sport although suffering from illegality
in many places flourishes in others. The dutch are bowling away in their
American colonies around 1625.
The sport again takes its hold on England and becomes widely popular,
with new bowling centers opening once again. It becomes a gamblers favorite
and many people begin losing their days pay to shady rules, and bowling
hustlers. One of the biggest gamblers of the time ( a compulsive gambler
) is King Charles of England. He takes the game, standardizes the rules
( ball sizes, pin sizes, etc ) to make it more competitive and to even
the odds out. At this point everyone is still playing the favorite 'nine
pins'.
The sport continues to grow world wide, but especially takes a hold
of the United States. The main problem is that by 1840 almost every
place to bowl is located next to a tavern ( i gues taverns like to build
small lanes to attract customers ) in its 'alley'...This seems to be
the origin of the name 'bowling alley'. Well drinking, and the good
people of the USA just dont mix, in 1870 'nine pin' bowling is banned
due to its association with crime and gambling, fortunately for the
rest of us there worded the law quite maticulously and a nice fellow
brings about 'ten-pin bowling'. The sport continues to flourish.
In 1895 the American Bowling Congress is formed, and the sport moves
on through history. In 1916 the Womens International Congress forms,
and everything stays quiet until about 1950 when the first automatic
pin setting machine is invented. This causes bowling to gain mass appeal.
During this same time, Capezio introduces a line of bowling shoes with
advertisements showing upper class ladies bowling.
In 1961 the number of bowling alleys in the US jumps from around 6500
to 10000, at this same time the average neck size per pin is increased
make the average pin weigh 7/10 more ounces than previously. By 1963
Americans are spending around 44 million dollars a year on bowling balls
and the equipment. The sport continues to grow in popularity to its
current day estimates ( by the A.B.C ) to around 50 million bowlers
in the USA alone.
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