The pool table has been around since the beginning, even though no one knows the inventor. The earliest record of the game dates back to 1500s Northern Europe. The game became popular with men and women of all ages. It has remained very popular in the United States over many years.
Pool was originally played on grass or a board that had a hole in its middle. It was played on object balls that were numbered between one and fifteen. It was similar in nature to croquet except that the player would shove the ball rather then strike it. In the 1600s, the "mace", a wooden stick that was used to strike the ball was invented.
The game was enhanced with the additions of a cuestick, wooden hoop, as well the balls. It quickly became a popular game in Europe, and eventually it was adopted by the United States. However, it was not until the Industrial Revolution that the game became popular worldwide.
The history of the game's development is unclear, though there are many individuals who played a part in it. The indoor billiard table was first invented by King Louis XI, France. The game became very popular in England during the Industrial Revolution. The French nobility were also fond of the game.
In the 1840s, the game quickly became a favorite sport and was brought to the United States. Many of the first settlers brought billiards to the United States. Tournaments were held across the country. The game was popularized in more luxurious saloons and because the equipment was expensive, it was not affordable to lower classes.
The history of the game was made more complicated when ivory became a ball material. Ivory was originally made from elephant tusks. Ivory gained popularity in the 17th century. However, it was not indestructible and could crack when subjected to excessive force.
In the 1920s, pool balls made from ivory were replaced with a new material. This ball material was made of a mixture nitrocellulose and camphor. It could explode if it was struck with extreme force.
This new material was known as a composite ball. While the nitrocellulose didn't have great stability, it was a cheaper alternative to ivory. After a while, the stick and hoop were abandoned. The cue tip was also changed to a leather tip, which improved ball hitting.
The game developed and became popular in America in the late 1800s. John Wesley Hyatt invented a ball using camphor (and nitrocellulose) in the late 1800s. This new ball material was not very stable, and the ball could explode when struck with extreme force.
Michael Phelan - a successful pool player - was another significant figure in the evolution of the game. Phelan, whose father immigrated from Ireland into the United States in 1883 and Michael followed him to the pool hall trade, was born in Ireland. Phelan eventually wrote a book called pool which inspired a new generation.