.Bowling balls have really come a long way, from the round stones that may have been thrown at pin like stones by the caveman, and most assuredly be the ancient Egyptians, to the "resin particle cover stocks" with unimaginable weight block shapes that are driving up averages today.
The Dutch introduced a game similar to what we play today to America during the colonial period, possibly. This game evolved into the game of "nine pin" which became a very popular gambling game, the authorities of the time eventually banned the sport of "nine Pin". In order to skirt the ban on "nine Pin" it is popularly believed that a tenth pin was added to the deck, thus the game we know as "ten pin bowling". The ball used for these games and up to the very early 20th century was made of a very dense hardwood, lignum vitae. In 1905 the first rubber ball, named the "Evertrue" was introduced, about this time the 16-pound maximum weight limit was imposed. Then in 1914 the "Mineralite" ball was introduced by the Brunswick Corporation, then a maker of billiards balls, and was successfully promoted, touting its "mysterious rubber compound". These types of bowling ball, and variations of it, were the mainstays until about the 1970's.
During the early 1970's polyester/plastic bowling balls were introduced. The characteristics of these bowling balls are low production costs, which allows lower costs for bowlers buying their own equipment, durability, many color or design choices. The disadvantages are that these balls do not "grip" the lane very well and usually go very straight, however the tendency to go straight does make them very popular as a spare ball, and many are used today just for that purpose. Most bowling center have a selection of house balls for the patrons to use, most of those balls are either hard rubber or polyester bowling ball.
In 1981 Ebonite developed the technology to produce a polyurethane cover stock, however this was a higher cost process, and Ebonite, fearing that the bowler would not pay the estimated $80 sale price, sold the manufacturing rights the AMF. The result was the production of the "Angle", and the modern era of bowling balls was born. This new cover stock allowed more friction or "grip on the lane, resulting in a ball that was more controllable, predictable, smoother roll, and was easy to hook or curve into the strike pocket. The cover stock was also "adjustable" as to how aggressive the hook or curve was, by varying how it was finished, need less hook, polish the ball, need more hook, sand the surface. The "urethane balls are durable, last a long time, require less maintenance and still perform well, especially on "dry" lane conditions.
The 1990,s saw the introduction of the "reactive resin cover stock" bowling ball, and the stampede to higher scoring began. This group of cover stocks have a sort of "tackiness" that seems to grip the lane, this allows for greatly increased hook potential, and a ball that seems to deliver more energy and hitting power to a larger strike pocket. These bowling balls won't bowl for you, however they will make a good bowler a lot better. You no longer have to be exactly precise, but rather bowl in an area.
Building on the huge success of reactive resin cover stocks are the newer "particle reactive resin cover stocks" which are even more aggressive on the lanes.
To take advantage of these new high tech bowling balls you need to check out the pro shop at your bowling center, or find out where the good bowlers in your area buy their equipment, you need to buy from someone who really knows how to fit a ball to you and your particular style of play, and then drill that ball to match.
Jim Newell is the publisher of http://www.BowlingInfo101.com "Start Here... To Improve Your Game!"
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