How Did Bowling Get Its Name [Invention History]

Most of the time, people who identify as deep thinkers or naturally curious are more interested in the “why” than the “what.” I agree with this statement, and I frequently find myself looking everywhere for clarity and the truth!

As a devoted bowling enthusiast, I can't resist applying the same rules, strategies, and well-crafted equipment intended to improve our experiences. I am curious to know why bowling is called such!

Table Of Contents

So Why Is Bowling Called Bowling?

The word "bowling" comes from the Old English word "bowlan," which means to "roll a ball." The game of bowling has been around for centuries, with different variations played in many different cultures throughout history. It is believed that the modern game of bowling as we know it today originated in the United States around the mid-19th century. At that time, the game was played with nine pins instead of the traditional ten, today's standard.

As for why people call it "bowling" instead of "rolling," it is likely due to the game's historical roots. In the past, bowling was often played outdoors on grass or uneven surfaces, and the ball used in the game was often shaped like a bowl or rounded object. As the game evolved and moved indoors, the shape of the ball changed, but the name "bowling" remained.

Historical roots of the game

The earliest known evidence of bowling comes from Ancient Egypt, where images found on the wall of a royal tomb are thought to have been created around 5200 BC. These images strikingly resemble bowling.

Apart from the images of bowling discovered in the royal tomb, objects resembling pins and balls were found in the grave of an Egyptian infant that belonged to 3200 BC. In the 1930s, British anthropologist Sir Flinders Petrie discovered these objects. The balls should have been rolled around the ground instead of thrown, given their size, weight, and the fact that some had porcelain and leather coverings. Alabaster pebbles in vases, which are believed to resemble contemporary Skittles, were discovered among these ball-shaped objects in Naqada, Egypt, in 1895.

Moreover, an analogous game of throwing stones as near to other stones as possible is thought to have originated in the Roman Empire about 2,000 years ago, especially among Roman officials. Later on, it evolved into what is now called "Italian Bocce" or outdoor bowling.

Also, a German historian, William Pehle, asserted that bowling first appeared in Germany in 300 AD. It was because of a religious ritual that began at the same period and involved rolling a boulder into a club, or "Kegel" in German (pronounced "key-guy-l," meaning "skittle" or "pin"); the goal was to knock it over and be absolved of all sins.

Bowling's evolution and modernity were greatly aided by lawn bowling. Its modest beginnings date back to the 12th century, and England appreciated them as a diversion from the stress of ongoing conflict. It was especially well-known in places where there were spatial constraints.

The King outlawed lawn bowling because it was deemed a diversion from archery, which was the sport that should be practiced in this time of war.

It was in the mid-19th century that new technological innovations allowed significant improvements to bowling lanes and equipment. Lanes began to be built with wooden boards, and bowling balls were fitted with finger holes, allowing for more control and curved throws. This feat heralded the beginning of modern bowling.

Who Brought Bowling To America?

The game had traveled across Europe and finally to the United States with the earliest known reference to bowling at Pins in America, made by author Washington Irving in the 1819 short story "Rip Van Winkle."

Lawn bowling at New York's Battery neighborhood was the first permanent bowling facility in the States. Locals still refer to the little area as a bowling green, even though it has subsequently been developed into a financial center in New York.

People Who Contributed To Bowling

Joseph Gentiluomo was one of the most significant and enduring persons contributing to bowling. He is a World War II veteran who contributed immensely to the world of sports, specifically bowling. He held an astounding 28 patents and determined which materials would be necessary to advance the game of bowling because of his understanding of mechanical technology. He found that he could use the same concepts to change the density of bowling balls from his work with golf balls.

Joseph discovered that it was perfect for balancing the ball's performance since it moved the majority of its weight to the middle of the ball. This change allowed them to accumulate more energy while sliding over the lane's slippery surface, which increased their effectiveness when hitting pins. Both recreational and competitive bowlers' experiences were significantly improved and changed as a result.

Another significant figure is Henry Bowen. Did you know that Knickerbocker Alleys, the earliest known indoor bowling lane, was opened in New York City on January 1, 1840? These roads were constructed in 1846 as part of Henry Bowen's vacation home, Roseland Cottage, in Woodstock, Connecticut. Henry Bowen lived there from 1831 until 1896. America has much to do with bowling's renowned and grandeur! In this place, bowling developed from its early childhood and teenage years into the incredibly thrilling and fun game it is today.

Which Bowling Ball Is Right For You?

Knowing a few basic facts about bowling balls will assist you, regardless of your level of expertise or skill, to bowl better and have a more enjoyable time! If not, then why not? A few crucial qualities to take into consideration are as follows:

Ball mass
Ball stock, also referred to as cover stock
Make your ball unique
Do you have a left or right hand?
Perseverance, Wealth, and Prosperity

The fun of the game, as well as your performance, can be significantly impacted by the weight of your ball. While others suggest that the weight of your ball should be about 10% of your body weight, several pros use 15- and 16-pound balls. Some advice could be more helpful than others, but you might need something else. Practically speaking, the ideal fit is a ball that slides into your hand without being too tight or heavy on your wrists.

The type of ball you choose will impact the technique you are trying to use. For example, a smoother ball will be less prone to veer and change course on a lane's surface. Reactive resin, urethane, and plastic are the primary cover stocks. The smoothest surface and lowest friction are found in plastic balls, which also have the slightest possibility of hooking. This type of ball is a fantastic place for any novice to start if they want to try bowling.

Because urethane balls are slightly more resilient, they have greater friction. It also means that it has superior pin action and deflects less. With more control and hook capability than plastic balls, it's also regarded as a fantastic advancement. Although less long-lasting, reactive resin balls have significantly more friction, hook potential, and pin action. Their vulnerability makes them considerably more difficult to manage due to their substantially higher friction levels. In this instance, they are far more appropriate for expert or advanced bowlers and are not recommended for beginners.

A house ball might be a good option if the distinctions between the various balls overwhelm you and you're just searching for something more straightforward and laid-back. This is particularly true if your leisure time bowling will be limited to once or twice a week. When searching for a house ball, the two primary dimensions to check are the sizes of the gripping holes and the separation between the thumb and finger holes. The span is the name given to it. There is nothing else to do but take up a few bowling balls and see which feels the most natural in your palm (be careful with your feet!).

More significantly, instead of making a tiny investment and creating a strong and long-lasting basis for success, amateurs who want to go up should avoid picking up negative habits by attempting to make a house ball accomplish the impossible. There is no excuse not to seek advice from knowledgeable folks about bowling balls if you are not! To start with all the necessities, please consult a professional at your neighborhood bowling alley.

Ensure the bowling ball you buy is made particularly for your left or right-handedness. They are very different from one another, meeting the needs of every person, and they have the power to make or ruin your bowling experience. The holes in left-handed balls are located differently, making them different from right-handed balls. The last finger to exit the ball is the ring finger, which has a hole behind the middle finger. The center weight is somewhat to the left and in front of the thumb hole.

Fun Facts about Bowling

Bowling is one of the oldest sports in the world, dating back to ancient Egypt, where people used stones to knock down pins.
Modern bowling originated in Germany in the 19th century, where it was played as a religious ritual to cleanse people of their sins.
Today's standard form of bowling is ten-pin bowling, which features ten pins arranged in a triangular shape at the end of a lane. The ball used for this game has three holes for the fingers and weighs between 6 and 16 pounds.
Bowling balls have evolved from wooden spheres to rubber balls to high-tech composite materials that offer better performance and durability.
Bowling pins are also designed with specific features, such as a heavier base to keep them upright and a plastic coating to protect them from wear and tear.
A perfect game in bowling is when a player scores 300 points by rolling 12 consecutive strikes in a single game. This feat is rare and impressive, with about 1 in 11,500 odds for a professional bowler.
Bowling is a trendy sport worldwide, with over 5,000 bowling centers in the United States alone. Different bowling variations, such as candlepin, duckpin, and five-pin bowling, use other numbers and sizes of pins and balls.
The world's largest bowling alley is the Inazawa Grand Bowling Center in Japan, which has 116 lanes and can accommodate up to 696 players at a time.
Bowling has its terminology and etiquette, such as turkey (three consecutive strikes), split (a situation where two or more pins are left standing far apart), and spare (knocking down all the remaining pins with the second ball). Bowlers are also expected to respect each other's turns, avoid distractions, and congratulate each other on good shots.
Bowling is fun and healthy, as it can burn up to 300 calories per hour and improve muscle strength, coordination, and balance.
Bowling shoes are essential to the game, providing traction and stability on the slippery lanes. They also prevent damage to the lanes from regular shoes. Bowling shoes are usually rented at bowling centers, but some avid bowlers prefer to buy their own pair.

When Did Bowling Become A Sport?

In several American states, bowling had gained popularity and became a common pastime by the 1800s. It moved "west" as far as Illinois, New York, and Ohio. The weight, size, and dimensions of bowling balls and what was deemed appropriate and fair varied from state to state. Due to these conflicts, bowling was only a club activity and was never considered a competitive sport.

It took a restaurateur named Joe Thum to obtain a representative from each local bowling club. The American Bowling Congress was founded at Beethoven Hall in New York City on September 9, 1895. It was a crucial first step toward making national contests possible to host. The Women's National Bowling Association was established in 1917 because the Women's International Bowling Congress followed suit.

Bowlers became increasingly restless as the game became more intense, searching for something to give them an advantage. This goal led to the fascinating and novel direction of bowling technology. "lignum vitae," a hardwood, was initially used to make bowling balls. The first rubber ball was created in 1905 and named "Evertrue." The Brunswick Corporation's Mineralite Ball came next. These ongoing advancements were evidence of bowling's growing appeal and level of competition.

In the 1950s, bowling became a significant event on television thanks to NBC's "Championship Bowling" telecast, the sport's first network coverage.

In What Country Is Bowling Popular?

The quick response is that the game is prevalent in almost every country. With the influx of bowlers across all ages, cultures, and origins, its exponential growth over the past century is hardly surprising! It is believed that in 90 different nations, more than one hundred million individuals play bowling. Bowling enthusiasts have started registering petitions to have the sport recognized as an Olympic sport. Despite bowling being one of the 28 sports that could have qualified for the Olympics, the 2020 Olympic Committee decided to forego bowling in favor of youth-oriented activities that would not require constructing new facilities to save money.

Bowlers don't give up easily! The bowling center in the Olympic Village serves as the venue for competitions, including the top players in the world, which are hosted in Seoul, Barcelona, and Atlanta. Furthermore, bowling is a part of the following regional and international championships: Maccabiah Games, Masters Games, Solidarity Games, Ciss Games, Pan American Games, Asian Games, World Games, Commonwealth Games, Central and South American Games, Caribbean Games, Bolivian Games, South East, and Far East Asian Games.

Casual Bowling vs. Competitive Bowling

Bowling's ability to appeal to a casual and competitive crowd is one of its most significant advantages. For a casual player, this is enjoying fun times with friends on weekends or playing games with coworkers after work. The concept of bowling alleys serving as social hubs for community engagement has become so popular that many now feature live music acts and bars to draw in socialites.

Bowling alleys in and of themselves have a certain charm from the 1950s and 1960s, and despite their exterior changes, they still have a passionate heart!

Speaking of social factors, taking that particular someone on a first date can be accomplished through bowling! There are no expectations in the environment itself, and it has a laid-back vibe that invites enjoyable conversations. Besides, don't the most exciting partnerships always include a fair dose of friendly competition? (Or is it that you would rather "keep your enemies close and your friends close")?

On the other hand, other people enjoy the challenge and sense of achievement that come with competition and thrive on it. There are still competitive bowlers, ranging in age from 9 to 90. You must possess the greatest gear available to gain a slight advantage over your rivals in competitive bowling. Because of this, manufacturers decided to offer nearly 500 different bowling balls between 2014 and 2018! United States Bowling Congress (USBC) is one of the country's most well-known and influential organizations. With 1.3 million users as of 2019, it is mostly to blame for the developments in sports.

The Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) is another significant competitive group. They are the leading governing body in the US for serious bowlers. Members include professional bowlers from all over the world. Established in 1958, it has over 3,000 members from 50 different nations. Every year, competitions are held. In 2019, there were four internationals, ten open events, and thirty PBA tournaments.

Final Thoughts

After giving it some thought, our data points to bowling as an entity that is a synthesis of centuries' worth of concepts, customs, and incidents that have shaped the sport into what it is now. Millions of people still adore and greatly enjoy it as a pastime despite its change over time. Bowling provides something for everyone, whether you're searching for a fun night out, want to take your beloved somewhere lovely, or are thinking about turning pro!