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 go forth intimately of these theories as simply speculation. Most people agree, however, that the game gained its root from lawn games, which were not unlike croquet, played by nobility. Early players were said to take force 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 husband King Louis XVI. If the game did indeed develop from lawn games, and then where did the lawn games come from?Many historians believe that the lawn games date fundament to ancient Egypt. " lap up and ball" games are said to be what the lawn games evolved from, and images of these games can be set in motion on the outside of tombs from as far back as 3000 days ago.The greatest innovation that has led to modern billiards play would have to be that of the modern time cue or cue stick which dates back to the 1700s. Up until that time 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 jabbing the ball on the table and the skinny end was used as a handle. Difficulty with shots compressed against the rails would lead to the use of the skinny end to shoot causing the fall of the mace and the arrival of a stick.Along with the emergence of the cue came other great improvements. Leather tips were developed around the eighteen hundreds, and a few years later trash was developed for the tips. Slate beds, fine cloth, rubber rails and standard sizes for tables currently 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.