The History of Billiards :: essays research papers

There are many different theories as to when and how billiards was first developed. A lack of actual physical evidence has left most of these theories as simply speculation. Most people agree, however, that the game gained its roots from lawn games, which were not different croquet, played by nobility. Early players were said to include King Louis XI of France (King between 1461 and 1483) Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots (1542-1587) King Louis XIV (1643-1715) Marie Antoinette and her save King Louis XVI. If the game did indeed develop from lawn games, then where did the lawn games come from? many an(prenominal) historians believe that the lawn games date back to ancient Egypt. "Bat and ball" games are said to be what the lawn games evolved from, and images of these games can be found on the outback(a) of tombs from as far back as 3000 years ago.The greatest macrocosm that has led to modern billiards play would have to be that of the modern metre cue or cue stick which dates back to the 1700s. Up until that metre only makeshift cues were used and it was the mace that was the most popular. During its reign as leading cue the mace was used to push the ball on the table and the skinny end was used as a handle. worry with shots compressed against the rails would lead to the use of the skinny end to take aim causing the fall of the mace and the arrival of a stick.along with the number of the cue came other great improvements. Leather tips were developed around the 18 hundreds, and a few years later chalk was developed for the tips. destine beds, fine cloth, rubber rails and standard sizes for tables soon arrived, and pushed the development of the games popularity.Along with popularity came the need for standardized rules, tables, and equipment. Of course with the gained popularity came the "business" of billiards.