Origin of Bowling

Bowling is one of the most popular amusements in developed countries. The whole championships draw an attention of both spectators and TV-watchers, which follow sport career of skillful players. Indeed, bawling transformed from a simple game into a real sport event, but less people are aware of its distribution since ancient times. Bowling appears to be a popular game of all times and people.First notices of bawling date back to 5200 BC, which are stated by archeological investigations in Egypt. In particular, findings in one of the tombs included small stone balls, three pieces of thin marble and nine pins, which point out that game principles and strategy were familiar to ancient people. In 1939 there was an assumption introduced that balls were thrown through small gates formed by marble thins.German historian William Pel stated that bowling originated in Germany in the 3rd century. At first, there was nothing in common with amusement, but it was considered a religious rite. Pin was some sort of a weapon, which was used to attack and persecute pagans. That is why bowling symbolized the process of eradication, as a pin was an embodiment of a pagan.During following centuries clay and wooden pavements for bowling were established in other European countries; pin game conquered France, Spain and England; on British Isles, particularly, bawling was considered a privilege of aristocracy, while pin variant was popular amongst working class. Lots of bowling clubs were opened in England in the 15th century. It was also popular in Netherlands and in the 17th century it was exported to the United States. So, the common idea that bowling has started in America appears to be false and contradictive.A true outburst of modern-type bowling is registered in the end of the 19th century, when the 10th pin was added. In addition, in 1895 the first institution was founded, which controlled keeping rules of the game, - American Bowling Community. As time passed, the game succeeded and distributed all over the world. Simultaneously, it required new equipment and technological solutions. One of the related patents was issued to Gottfried Schmidt in late 1930s; he is an inventor of automatic pinsetter – the equipment for automatic return of ball and pins. Speaking of bowling ball, it has also experienced several technological changes; at the beginning of the 20th century it was made of rockwood and to date bowling balls are made of polyester and various modifications of the polyurethane.