Despite not knowing the origin of the pool table's invention, it is undisputed that the game has been around for many years. The earliest written records about the game date back at least to the 1500s in Northern Europe. It became very popular among men and women of all ages. It has been popularized in the United States for many decades.
The original version of pool was played with grass or a board having a hole at the center. The object balls were numbered one through fifteen. It was similar to croquet in that the player pushed the ball instead of striking 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 was very popular in Europe and then spread to the United States. However, the game didn't become very popular until after the Industrial Revolution.
The history of the game's development is unclear, though there are many individuals who played a part in it. First, King Louis XI of France is credited with the invention of the indoor billiard table. The game also developed into a popular pastime in England, which grew in popularity after 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. Billiards tournaments took place all across the country, as many of the early settlers brought it to the United States. The game became more popular in better saloons. However, the equipment was costly and prohibitive for lower income people.
The game's past was further complicated by the introduction of ivory as a material for ball. Ivory was originally made out of elephant tusks. Ivory became more popular in the 17th century, but it was not indestructible and tended to crack when struck with 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. The nitrocellulose wasn't very stable, but it was a more inexpensive replacement for ivory. After a while, the stick and hoop were abandoned. A leather tip was added to the cue tip, which made it easier to hit balls.
The game continued to develop, and in the late 1800s, it began to take off in the United States. 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 key figure in developing the game. Phelan's father emigrated from Ireland to the United States in 1883, and Michael followed him into the pool hall business. His book on pool was published, and he inspired a new generation in pool to get rid of the ivory balls.